2
Stoffel Vandoorne's preparations for his first full season in Formula One have been difficult to say the least, but he is not letting McLaren-Honda's pre-season woes dampen his spirits as the 2017 season gets underway.
As he and the team arrived in Melbourne, he opted to focus on how he and the team will solve their issues rather than bemoan the woes of pre-season testing.
"It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m about to start my full first season in Formula 1 and it’s a dream I’ve been working towards for my entire racing career. I'm looking forward to stepping into the MCL32 cockpit on Friday morning and I feel totally ready for the challenge ahead.
"I’ve prepared very well over the winter, worked a lot on my training and in particular my strength and endurance, and I’m incredibly motivated to work hard with the team to make improvements step by step. I’ll be pushing hard as always and I’m looking forward to getting back into the car."
The Belgian refused to be drawn on setting any specific targets for the season, instead choosing to comment on his relationship with the team and how he intends to learn from decorated team-mate Fernando Alonso.
"In terms of performance, I’m not setting myself any particular targets, other than to keep my head down, learn a lot from the team and from Fernando, and do my best.
"I know the guys and girls at McLaren and Honda very well, and I feel very much part of the family, so there’s no sense of nervousness about starting my first full season as a Formula 1 driver.
"It’s my first time in Australia so I’ll be soaking up the atmosphere, enjoying the buzz of the first race of the season, and we’ll see how the weekend unfolds from there."
Alex Griffin
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
185,441 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
283,067 comments on McLaren 156 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about McLaren
Replies (2)
Login to replyianf1
Posts: 185
I'm keen for the season to start as well so that we start getting real news being reported again.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
So much talent, in such a slow car..