Stoffel Vandoorne says he is "very confident" he will still be a McLaren driver in four weeks' time.
In Hungary, a rumour did the rounds that the British team will oust Vandoorne ahead of his home race at Spa-Francorchamps, replacing him with Lando Norris.
Asked if that is a possibility, La Derniere Heure quotes McLaren boss Zak Brown as answering: "Very unlikely."
But when asked to rule it out, Brown merely repeated: "It's very unlikely."
He said McLaren is supporting Vandoorne both "morally and technically", including by "agreeing" to give him a new chassis to use in Hungary.
Brown also said the team will "speak to other drivers" about the future, which is "normal at this time of the season".
So when asked if he is sure he will still have a McLaren seat for his home grand prix in Belgium late next month, Vandoorne answered: "Yes, I am very confident.
"After two bad grands prix, everything is bad, but after a good race you're a God. That's formula one," he said.
I call BS. While I do like some McLiaren bashing every now and then, they are not the team to ditch a driver midseason. Its not like he has been abysmally bad, and its not like McLaren has a good enough car so that we know it isnt down to the car slowing him down. Lets be real here: Alonso is whats making the difference in that McLaren. The car's true pace is probably somewhere down where Vandoorne is.
I believe that Alonso is the best ever at getting absolutely everyting out of a crappy car. Like his comparison to 2014 when he was beating Räikkönen by 0,6-0,7 sec. That was also in a crappy car. I.e. the worse the car the bigger the gap between Alonso and his team mate. I think that if you were to put Alonso and Vandoorne in the best car, the gap wouldn't be as big. Granted Alonso would likely still be faster, but not by as much.... Also, I seriously doubt that Vandoorne has anything to say in regards to how the car should be developed, likely Alonso has the power here so difference in driving style is likely also a huge factor.
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Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I call BS. While I do like some McLiaren bashing every now and then, they are not the team to ditch a driver midseason. Its not like he has been abysmally bad, and its not like McLaren has a good enough car so that we know it isnt down to the car slowing him down. Lets be real here: Alonso is whats making the difference in that McLaren. The car's true pace is probably somewhere down where Vandoorne is.
Kean
Posts: 692
I believe that Alonso is the best ever at getting absolutely everyting out of a crappy car. Like his comparison to 2014 when he was beating Räikkönen by 0,6-0,7 sec. That was also in a crappy car. I.e. the worse the car the bigger the gap between Alonso and his team mate. I think that if you were to put Alonso and Vandoorne in the best car, the gap wouldn't be as big. Granted Alonso would likely still be faster, but not by as much.... Also, I seriously doubt that Vandoorne has anything to say in regards to how the car should be developed, likely Alonso has the power here so difference in driving style is likely also a huge factor.