Vandoorne 'the next Alonso, next Button' - Boullier

  • Published on 05 Apr 2016 12:50
  • comments 2
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Stoffel Vandoorne appears to have put his F1 career on the fast track after making an impressive race debut in Bahrain. Although Fernando Alonso says he is "99 per cent" sure his chest injuries will be in the past by China in ten days, McLaren now sounds more convinced than ever that it has one of F1's very best new talents in its hands.

"He had a spectacular weekend," team boss Eric Boullier is quoted by Spain's El Mundo Deportivo. "I was surprised that he made not the slightest mistake, he was always very calm and had no problems with the setup. There is this new generation of drivers with a lot of strength that will be relieving many current drivers, and we want Stoffel to be one of them. He will surely be the next Alonso, the next Button," said Boullier.

The newspaper said Boullier would not comment on whether Vandoorne, 24, will make his full-time debut for McLaren in 2017. But Button is out of contract at the end of the season, while Spaniard Alonso in Bahrain angrily rejected claims he should retire due to fading motivation. (GMM)

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    I remember seeing a picture of a very depressed looking Button after he retired in Bahrain. Once he realized what Vandoorne was demonstrating, I think he knew what time it is...
    He had a nice career, now finish it with style. McLaren have no choice if they want to keep Vandoorne.

    • + 0
    • Apr 5 2016 - 19:18
    • Hardly, he realized it could have been him and even much ahead. if anything he will be even more determined to get the best out of the car when it DOES NOT fail.

      • + 0
      • Apr 6 2016 - 03:49

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar