Stoffel Vandoorne dropped by McLaren for F1 2019
Written by News on 03/09/2018
McLaren have confirmed Stoffel Vandoorne will leave the team at the end of the season.
The Belgian’s 2019 replacement has not been announced.
Lando Norris, Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon are understood to be on the team’s shortlist to partner the incoming Carlos Sainz.
Sainz has been signed for 2019 to succeed Fernando Alonso, who is quitting F1 after 17 years in the sport.
Vandoorne has endured an increasingly torrid season and his F1 future is now uncertain after just two years on the grid.
“We’re immensely thankful for Stoffel’s dedication, hard work and commitment during his time at McLaren,” said McLaren chief executive Zak Brown. “He’s a talented racing driver with an incredible list of accolades in his junior career. We’re proud to have played a part in his break into Formula 1, from his role as test driver to his fantastic points-scoring debut in Bahrain in 2016.
McLaren sign Sainz for 2019
F1 2019: Race dates and line-ups
“It’s clear we haven’t provided Stoffel with the tools to show his true talent, but throughout our relationship he’s proved to be a fantastic team player. His work ethic is impressive, he has a great reputation within the team and we’ve really enjoyed working with him.
“Of course, we would have loved to achieve more success during our time together, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he will always be a part of the McLaren family of grand prix drivers.”
The 26-year-old was linked with ‘lifeline’ moves to Sauber and Toro Rosso in recent weeks.
“While we haven’t achieved the success we’d all hoped for, I’ve really enjoyed the past two seasons racing for McLaren and I have a great relationship with everyone in the team,” said Vandoorne.
“I intend to give it my all for the remaining seven races of this season, and will announce my plans for next season in due course.”
McLaren’s decision means they will start next season with an all-new driver line-up.
How Vandoorne’s McLaren career has faltered
McLaren signed Vandoorne to their young driver programme in 2013 after strong early junior racing success, a pedigree the Belgian enhanced in 2015 when he won the GP2 Series with a record number of race wins and points.
He made his F1 debut as a stand-in for Alonso and the 2016 Bahrain GP and outqualified team-mate Jenson Button before scoring a point for 10th place in the race.
He replaced Button for 2017 but McLaren endured a wretched final season with Honda, although Vandoorne improved later in the year and scored 13 of the team’s 30 points.
But 2018 has mostly proved forgettable.
Vandoorne scored points in three of the season’s first four rounds but has not finished in the top 10 since, with recent months seeing him repeatedly drop out of Q1 in qualifying amid struggles with McLaren’s car.
He last outqualified Alonso in September 2017 at the Malaysia GP.
Sky Sports F1 is the only place to watch every Formula 1 Grand Prix, qualifying and practice session live in 2018. Get Sky Sports F1.
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(c) Sky News 2018: Stoffel Vandoorne dropped by McLaren for F1 2019
