McLaren Racing CEO
Zak Brown has admitted that the team hasn't provided their departing driver
Stoffel Vandoorne with the right tools to show what he's really capable of.
Vandoorne will be replaced by British teenager Lando Norris next season, as the 18-year-old McLaren junior will make the promotion from Formula 2 after his season is over. Vandoorne, who has always been hailed as a very talented driver, but for some reason it never really came out at the British team after he made his debut in Bahrain in 2016.
“It’s clear we haven’t provided Stoffel with the tools to show his true talent, but throughout our relationship he’s proved to be a fantastic team player," Brown said on the McLaren website.
"His work ethic is impressive, he has a great reputation within the team and we’ve really enjoyed working with him.
"Of course, we would have loved to achieve more success during our time together, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he will always be a part of the McLaren family of Grand Prix drivers.
"For now, we look to the future and to the remaining Grands Prix in 2018, where I know both Stoffel and Fernando will be pushing hard to fight for as many points as possible before we close the curtain on this season.
“We wish Stoffel all the best in whatever direction he chooses to take next in his career, and we’ll be supporting him all the way.