Fernando Alonso has admitted that his teammate has endured a "difficult" start to his Formula 1 career. Despite making his debut last season in Bahrain, Stoffel Vandoorne is competing in his first full season but has not had the most exciting of introductions.
He has escaped Q1 only once so far this season and is yet to out-qualify Alonso. Alonso himself picked up McLaren's first points of the season in Baku, while Vandoorne remains 20th in the standings, only ahead of Antonio Giovinazzi who competed in just two races this season.
"It is difficult and frustrating for him. He does not know most of the tracks, so he's learning the circuits and everything about formula one but he can't test the car and often he is going into qualifying with no preparation. It is a difficult season for him and also for the team in general, and myself too. We hope to have a competitive car next year," Alonso added.
Replies (2)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I really like Stoffel, but it's hard to defend his performances so far. I still think he has real potential, but every race it's feeling more and more like Magnussen than a Verstappen.
RenaultFM1
Posts: 100
What did you mean by that, maybe you could explain it a little further because I do think Magnussen is showing good performance in the Haas car. Werstappen is maybe in a leauge for himself, time will show but do you think he would done much better in the same car that magnussen drove so far?