Vandoorne: “Total confidence in McLaren’s project”

Stoffel Vandoorne has achieved its goal. The reigning GP2 Series champion will start at McLaren in 2017 replacing Jenson Button who will move to the position of third driver.

It’s a dream come true for the Belgian who was able to taste competition in F1 when he successfully replaced last April Fernando Alonso at the Bahrain Grand Prix at the end of which he took the point for tenth place.

“Above all, I would like to express my gratitude to all the people of McLaren-Honda, and particularly towards Ron (Dennis, director of McLaren Technology Group) who showed that he believed in me. I have signed many autographs during my career, but it was a special moment when I signed the McLaren contract today. »

“It’s a huge honor to become a McLaren-Honda driver and I promise to work as hard as possible like every F1 driver has done before me. I already know the team very well, it is a very competent team. I have already competed in a race with them and carried out numerous tests. I have total confidence in the McLaren-Honda project and I am certain that I will be able to make a great contribution to the team so that it achieves success. »

Stoffel Vandoorne will play alongside Fernando Alonso in 2017, but Jenson Button has not yet retired and he is already planning to return after his sabbatical year.