Vandoorne surprised by Brown's praise

After two complicated seasons as a starter for Woking, Stoffel vandoorne, a member of the McLaren industry since 2013, will have to pack up at the end of the season to make way for Carlos Sainz et Lando Norris.

“It’s a team decision naturally, and I have to respect it, said the former GP2 Series champion in Singapore. After, I have not yet had a clear explanation on the subject. This is a question to ask them to see what their exact strategy is for the future. It would be nice to know why, even if there’s not much to explain in the end.”

#SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/73bQCHjwaF

- McLaren (@ McLarenF1) September 14, 2018

Arrived in F1 with a very high rating due to its impeccable track record in promotional formulas, Vandoorne suffered greatly from the comparison with Fernando Alonso, not to mention the delicate sporting situation in which McLaren has found itself for several seasons.

The Kortrijk native admits his chances of remaining in the premier category in 2019 are now “very thin” while there are not many seats left available.

Since the announcement of Vandoorne's upcoming departure, Zak Brown, his current boss at McLaren, yet never ceases to sing his praises, going so far as to assert that if he was in charge of Toro Rosso, he would sign it “in the second.” These comments, however, received a mixed reception from the main person concerned.

That's the end of FP2 and Friday's on track action at the #SingaporeGP. Fernando finishes in P8, with Stoffel P16. pic.twitter.com/aZNCw0TGnl

- McLaren (@ McLarenF1) September 14, 2018

“I find them quite strange… since they just fired me !, quipped Vandoorne, who could however remain in the McLaren family and export his talent across the Atlantic if the brand one day decides to align itself with IndyCar next year.

The Belgian nevertheless recognized that the violent accident suffered by Robert Wickens last month on the Pocono speedway had logically dampened his desire to race in the United States.