Vandoorne gives up hope on 2019 F1 seat

Stoffel Vandoorne targets "a proper racing programme" with some Formula One involvement for next season, as he admits his hopes for a seat at a team on the grid next season is "almost 0%".

Vandoorne is leaving McLaren at the end of the season after two years at the Woking-based side, with junior driver Lando Norris replacing the Belgian driver.

This has meant that Vandoorne has been exploring opportunities outside of the racing paddock.

Vandoorne was asked by Autosport whether he has given up hope of driving for an F1 team in 2019 and the Belgian said: "Yeah. Unless anything out-of-control happens again, then maybe, but I think chances of anything like that happening is almost 0%.

"So the priority for me is to have a proper racing programme, and obviously in some ways stay involved within Formula 1, to still be connected to this world.

"I still feel I deserve a second chance in a good and right environment. The priority is first to find a race drive, which will be the main focus and target. And then we can see whatever (F1) options will open up next to that."

Indy Car is an option for the McLaren driver, with team owner Dale Coyne revealing Vandoorne's "cautious interest" in the option earlier this month.

Vandoorne revealed at Sochi that he has been exploring other options such as Indianapolis 500 but "nothing is decided" just yet.