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Stoffel Vandoorne has left Bahrain a happy F1 debutant, even though he will probably have to hand back the keys to Fernando Alonso in China. The highly-rated Belgian, the reigning GP2 champion, made his F1 race debut in Bahrain after the McLaren-Honda regular was sidelined with chest injuries.
Vandoorne, 24, more than impressed, outqualifying the vastly more experienced Jenson Button and scoring the team's first point of 2016. "I am of course very happy with the weekend," he told La Derniere Heure, a Belgian daily, as he departed Bahrain.
"I could prove that I was more than capable of driving an F1 car. Everything went the want I wanted," said Vandoorne. "I showed my speed, my fighting spirit but also my reliability even though I only discovered the car on Friday morning."
He also revealed that his debut did not go unnoticed by the F1 community at large. "I have received many messages of congratulations," said Vandoorne. "But what is most important is that I have made a good impression to the team. They know they can count on me."
That is despite the fact that, impressive though Bahrain may have been, he will probably not re-appear in the dark grey car in China. "I know," said Vandoorne. "It's part of my job as reserve driver and I knew that before I started. I don't know if I will get another chance but I hope that my work throughout the weekend will encourage the team to use my services again in the future."
Another impressive youngster in Bahrain was the Mercedes-backed Pascal Wehrlein, who aced qualifying in his Manor and featured on the TV images throughout Sunday's race. "I will definitely have to watch the replay as I've heard that I was quite often on the screen," the German grinned. "The fact that we were able to overtake Force India and Sauber was amazing and so much fun," Wehrlein told the German broadcaster Sky. (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (7)
Login to replyVet5
Posts: 225
He done very well in the race and I think he has proved to be able to adjust to an F1 car very quickly! He will definitely go far in F1 if given the chance to have a full time seat. Maybe he will be given Alonso's seat seeing as Herbert thinks he should retire, total nonsense!
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Herbert was burn nice and proper by Alonso's answer "No, I'm a world champion - you became a commentator because you were not a Champion"
Johnny boy Herbert was totally rekt by that answer. His wiener must have inverted when that freight train of a comeback rekt him proper.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Agreed, Im pretty sure we saw more than one future champion yesterday.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
And rightfully so. Great race from him. I think it's time for Button to retire, he's had a great run, an overachieving run actually. I still think Fernando's got a few years left in him at the highest level. Him and Vandoorne could be a great team next year, if the McHonda is up to par
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Alonso is the one who needs to retire, Button has him covered while being paid much less. Truth be told both of them need to retire in the next 1-2 years. Their time is at an end.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Vandoorne's performance has highlighted more than 1 aspects in F1 today. 1) Alonso is overpaid ( as a matter of fact many others) 2) Max Verstappen has the a proper competition 3) Ron Dennis is not dumb to drop Kevin.
khasmir
Posts: 893
Job well done, very well indeed.
Go Stoffel, Go Stoffel... ;-)