Stoffel Vandoorne: "I do not want to be Hamilton"

Stoffel Vandoorne has played down comparisons with Lewis Hamilton.

The Belgian rookie will make his full Formula One début later this year, racing alongside Fernando Alonso at McLaren.

Hamilton also made his F1 bow with McLaren alongside Alonso, in an acrimonious year which saw Alonso depart the team.

"I do not want to be Hamilton," Vandoorne reportedly told La Gazzetta. "I want to be Vandoorne and I'll give my maximum."

Vandoorne also doesn't expect Alonso to bend over backwards to help him out during his maiden season.

"I do not expect anything from the relationship between Fernando and I," he said.

"I didn't exactly get advice from Fernando and (Jenson) Button until now, but I was always close to them at the circuit, watching and trying to learn. But I have my own style," Vandoorne insisted.

Vandoorne also dismissed comparisons with Max Verstappen.

"Max and I came to F1 on very different paths," said Vandoorne. "I started racing a little late, did not have much money and didn't know what categories to do.

"Max did everything much faster. I lack experience in Grands Prix, but I'm more than ready," he added.

Well that's a good start, good mindset at least. No one in their right minds should use butthurt gangsta boy as any measure of worth, except in mediocrity where the merc dummyspitter is best suited.

Now onto some multiple race results to see if Stoffel' just a flash in the pan or the real deal.

  • 1
  • Jan 4 2017 - 14:01

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Well that's a good start, good mindset at least. No one in their right minds should use butthurt gangsta boy as any measure of worth, except in mediocrity where the merc dummyspitter is best suited.

    Now onto some multiple race results to see if Stoffel' just a flash in the pan or the real deal.

    • + 1
    • Jan 4 2017 - 14:01
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    He looks like the real deal good luck to him. Nice to see new drivers.

    • + 0
    • Jan 5 2017 - 09:51

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,453
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 235
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar