McLaren executive director Zak Brown has said that the new driver pairing of Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne are getting along well. Vandoorne will compete in his first full season of Formula 1 in 2017, replacing Jenson Button.
Alonso will enter his third year at McLaren-Honda and while they seem to be getting along swimmingly now, Brown admitted that all could change as the season wears on.
"They get along very well," Brown said. "They're both kind of head-down, focused on their own racing. I think they're going to work well together to drive the team forward. Stoffel is a very nature 24-year-old. I have no doubt he's going to push Fernando, which is going to be healthy for the team. I've seen that to be a very healthy relationship.
"I don't think that will change, but as we all know in motor racing most of the team mates get to each other - whether it's Senna and Prost or Rosberg and Hamilton, it becomes tricky. While we all know team mates want to beat each other, they want to beat everyone else," he added. "I don't think either of them is the type who are going to be too excited about beating their team mate if they're eight or ninth.
"I think their primary agenda focus is about getting to the front of the field, and then worrying about each other. I'm looking forward to the competition between them and look forward to helping manage through some team rivalries which no doubt you'll have. We're just going to keep it healthy."
Fergal Walsh
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f1fan0101
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It depends where McLaren are in terms of competitiveness next year, then we will see how well they get along