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Stoffel Vandoorne is not sure McLaren will be ready to win races in 2017.
After two seasons partnering Honda, McLaren have struggled but have made steady improvements, climbing from ninth in 2015 to sixth in 2016 on the constructors championship table.
The team has already revealed that they will launch their car on February 24, with big hints suggesting they could run an orange livery for next season.
At a Richard Mille sponsor event, a McLaren was coloured in a "one off" black and orange livery, and the same graphic theme was used for the announcement of the 2017 launch on Monday.
However Vandoorne, who will complete his first full season of F1 in 2017 is not so sure how competitive the car will be.
"It's hard to say," the Belgian said. "It's too early to judge."
"In any case, McLaren is improving. The last two seasons were not easy for Honda, but we made a significant step forward and we hope that positive trend will continue."
"I hope the car will be competitive and we will fight for the top positions," Vandoorne added.
Last year, Fernando Alonso finished tenth overall, so asked if that is good target for 2017, Vandoorne said: "No, finishing in the top ten is not the goal. I want to win."
"But we don't know if we can win races already. Probably this year it won't be the case, but I'm still going to try. McLaren has good prospects for the future and I'm in the right place. I believe in the team," he added.
Vandoorne has chosen 2 as his permanent F1 race number, so when asked why he made that decision he answered: "I used this number in 2010 in Formula 4, when I made my debut in open wheelers.
"It was a very successful year as I won the title. I hope 2 will bring me good luck again this year."
Fergal Walsh
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Login to replyRayden
Posts: 439
Still hurts to see a team as McLaren at the back and the middle of the grid..
Hope they Will come back, they have the resourses to do so, but I also think it's a case of mismanagement from their part.
Actually also a bit of cockyness.