An unexpected Q3 for Stoffel Vandoorne at Silverstone

The Belgian Stoffel vandoorne achieved a first in qualifying yesterday on the Silverstone track. The pilot McLaren climbed into Q3 before setting the ninth time, and thus ahead of his teammate for the first time Fernando Alonso in the exercise this year.

Transformed into eighth place with the penalty imposed on Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) for a gearbox change, the result of the former GP2 Series champion can offer him hopes of first points for the race this Sunday, especially if the rain gets involved.

« We had been hoping for wet conditions for a long time, and I think we were pretty strong in those conditions for the duration of the session, comments Vandoorne. Then, when the track became drier, we maximized every chance we had.

As usual, it's very tight in the middle of the field, and we generally see that some of the drivers have a little extra to qualify. But I think the mixed conditions really helped today. Every time I was on track I managed to set good times, and I think ninth place in Q3 was really the most we could achieve. »

Realizing progress

Stoffel Vandoorne also highlights certain progress made by the McLaren – Honda tandem, even if this presence in Q3 was clearly not expected. “Pparticipating in Q3 at Silverstone was a bit unexpected, underlines Vandoorne.

But I have worked very well in the last few races, and we have clearly seen the improvements within the team, in Azerbaijan, in Austria, and here at Silverstone this weekend, Fernando and I have been running similar times . It’s obviously a great feeling to have accomplished this extra step. »