Stoffel Vandoorne: "I do not doubt my abilities"

Stoffel Vandoorne says that although he is driving an underperforming car, he is not doubting his abilities as a racing driver. The Belgian has endured a tough opening two races of the season, finishing last in Australia and retiring in Shanghai.

His in-race proceedings compared very differently to team mate Fernando Alonso, who was running in the points in both races. While much hype has been cast around Vandoorne in the build-up to the season, it has flattened out in the wake of McLaren-Honda's problems.

"I do not doubt my abilities at all. On paper, it may not have been the two best weekends of my life, but I have no doubts at all. I know that when we get a weekend without problems, the result will be there," he told the Belgian broadcaster RTBF in Bahrain.

"The most important thing for us right now is to bring updates for the car and show that our package is improving weekend after weekend," the 24-year-old added.

Meanwhile, Vandoorne welcomed news that his teammate Alonso will skip Monaco next month to race at the Indy 500: "It's great for him to have the opportunity. But Monaco will perhaps be a Grand Prix where we will have more chances to do a good result, so we'll do our best."

Alonso's replacement for the Monaco Grand Prix was announced earlier today, with McLaren confirming that Jenson Button would be returning for a one-off race. 

Fergal Walsh