149 replies to this topic

[RPM40]

https://www.mclaren....nd-2018-season/

[Nonesuch]

I wouldn't wish being measured against Alonso on anyone, but at the same time he just hasn't been a presence ... pretty much ever.

 

An understandable decision.

[RPM40]

I’d love Red Bull to pick him up for Toro Rosso, he was a star as a junior and it’s be great to see him out of Alonso’s shadow

[Neno]

Nice. I mean not nice. But Mclaren deserves better. And Sainz isnt reward also. He will find seat in Toro Rosso I am sure. 

Edited by Neno, 03 September 2018 - 10:21.

[Niceman]

I think he was just a bad fit at Mclaren....they have a way of sucking the confidence out of some drivers with micromanagement.  If he gets a drive elsewhere I expect him to thrive.

[BuddyHolly]

Good news for the team but I wish him well in whatever he does next.

[Rors]

Nice. I mean not nice. But Mclaren deserves better. And Sainz isnt reward also. He will find seat in Toro Rosso I am sure. 

 

No way TR pick him. That team don't do other team rejects especially from McLaren. RB is a very proud team. They will rather bring their own ex driver who was fired. 

 

Vandoorne will likely be in Sauber now that Leclerc deal is done. Also, McLaren  would not had announced Vandoorne is leaving so soon unless he had signed elsewhere. McLaren have a habit of announcing a driver is leaving before the said driver announces he is going to another team. 

[Ramon69]

They should grab Ocon immediately!

 

As for Vandoorne, I'm kinda baffled about his performance. After what he showed in other series, he came to McLaren and was nowhere. Toro Rosso should dump Hartley and give Stoffel a chance! What have they got to lose? I mean Hartley is useless, so even if Vandoorne doesn't deliver, it's not like they lost a pontetial top driver.

[HistoryFan]

so the big news on that is that Vandoorne will finish the season.

So I highly doubt there will be driver swaps during the season. Only chance I see of Stroll going to Force India is that Ocon will be out of F1 or going to replace him at Williams.

[FullOppositeLock]

Shame for the lad, but it’s been coming for a while. Have to question how much of an upgrade Sainz will turn out to be though.

Surely they wil give Norris the seat otherwise this makes even less sense to me...

[AlexPrime]

He had a very tough task against Alonso and I think that it is sad that a once promising career seems to be ending like that, but F1 is a very tough business.

[Risil]

Doesn't surprise me at all, but the things he must've seen during his time in F1... 

 

What next? Back to Japan? Sports cars?

[Knowlesy]

Brutal.

[baddog]

I think it is a shame, and do hope he gets a chance somewhere else.. his reputation coming in didnt come from nothing.

[messy]

I hope he gets another seat and proves that his McLaren stint was not representative of his talent because he's the best driver I think I've ever seen in the junior series (FR3.5 and GP2), maybe Leclerc aside. But I doubt that'll happen. 

[Acathla]

This is a difficult one, he should be a kind of 'next best thing' but he did not really show it at Mclaren. Not easy to be paired with Alonso, but I still think he could have done better. Showed some speed but imho his race instincts are a bit less. 

[Knowlesy]

Still, at least we will get Kvyat back.

*sigh*

[sopa]

Thoroughly unimpressive, though not ridiculously off Alonso's pace.

 

Will be lucky to stay in F1. On the fence whether he 'deserves' another chance or not in a different team. Will never be a great, but isn't exactly out of his depth on F1 level either. 

[absinthedude]

I wouldn't wish being measured against Alonso on anyone, but at the same time he just hasn't been a presence ... pretty much ever.

 

An understandable decision.

 

That sums up how I feel. Vandoorne hasn't impressed at any time really, nor has he been especially visible. While I hadn't expected him to equal or better Alonso, his points tally compared to Alonso is woeful....and not getting better.

 

I see no reason for STR to pick up Vandoorne. And I doubt he's on their radar. Best is for Stoffel to find another series in which to try to rebuild his career and reputation. He just hasn't really done anything to make me say "This guy belongs in F1".

[RPM40]

Shame for the lad, but it’s been coming for a while. Have to question how much of an upgrade Sainz will turn out to be though.

Surely they wil give Norris the seat otherwise this makes even less sense to me...

We’ll never know with Sainz as he won’t be facing Alonso sadly. But I’d be inclined to agree

[messy]

This is a difficult one, he should be a kind of 'next best thing' but he did not really show it at Mclaren. Not easy to be paired with Alonso, but I still think he could have done better. Showed some speed but imho his race instincts are a bit less. 

 

One thing I'd say about SVD is that even in his best days in GP2 I never really remember him doing much wheel to wheel racing. He didn't need to a lot of the time. I remember him often running on the alternate strategy, clear track in front of him, and making it work without ever really having to get feisty with anyone. Maybe that's what he lacks. When you're cruising around in a class of your nown in an ART GP2 car it's one thing, when you're struggling in a slow McLaren you probably need those qualities a bit more....?

[RPM40]

Doesn't surprise me at all, but the things he must've seen during his time in F1...

What next? Back to Japan? Sports cars?

Indycar!

[SophieB]

Stoffel Vandoorne‏Verified account @svandoorne 8m8 minutes ago

More

Dear Friends, I will be leaving McLaren at the end of this season. The past 2 seasons we didn’t achieve the succes we’d hoped, but I want to thank everyone for the opportunities they gave… https://www.instagram.com/p/BnQrvtvlZbT/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1r10rc7us0yax …

[coppilcus]

Poor guy...

... at least McLaren is fast at consuming drivers.

[TomNokoe]

Devoured by McAlonso. A shame.

[RPM40]

Devoured by McAlonso. A shame.

It’s an interesting question how many drivers ever survive that?

Grosjean did. Piquet didn’t. Massa never really did. Raikkonen somewhat did.

[Dalton007]

Thoroughly unimpressive, though not ridiculously off Alonso's pace.

 

Will be lucky to stay in F1. On the fence whether he 'deserves' another chance or not in a different team. Will never be a great, but isn't exactly out of his depth on F1 level either. 

 

It was his race performances. Don't remember many memorable performances. Whilst Alonso found himself racing in the top ten, Stoffel was far behind.

Edited by Dalton007, 03 September 2018 - 10:52.

[pdac]

Just part of McLaren clearing the decks. They've been in deep trouble for several years now and it looks like the management just want to start afresh with new blood. If he'd have shown a few sparks of brilliance, things might be different.

Edited by pdac, 03 September 2018 - 10:55.

[PayasYouRace]

Vandoorne has been the grey man of the sport, which is a shame because I really have no idea how to rate him. I can’t really think of anything notable, good or bad, since his promising debut in Bahrain.

Being paired with Alonso must have been hard. But I can’t work out whether it’s a mutual thing, if he left McLaren or if McLaren no longer want him.

[Lights]

That was foreseeable.

He's having a decent season, but it's hard to shine against one of the best drivers ever who's on form and fully experienced. He could do a lot better in a different team.

Edited by Lights, 03 September 2018 - 10:56.

[JHSingo]

A very peculiar case. He looked like the real deal when he absolutely dominated GP2 a few years back. Crazy the amount of drivers that have failed to deliver since Hamilton left, Perez, Magnussen and now Vandoorne. 

 

He's clearly been hampered by the equipment that has been handed to him, but he's not really done anything eye-catching either. I'd love to see Norris or Ocon there next year. 

[absinthedude]

That was foreseeable.

He's having a decent season, but it's hard to shine against one of the best drivers ever who's on form and fully experienced. He could do a lot better in a different team.

He's not even having a decent season. 

 

Best bet, McLaren think they can get Ocon or are convinced Norris is the next big thing.

[GiorgioF1]

He's having a decent season

 

what

[DILLIGAF]

I think it is a shame, and do hope he gets a chance somewhere else.. his reputation coming in didnt come from nothing.

Agree. His was exceptionally good on his way up to F1 and he showed great promise in his first few outings for McLaren. Unfortunately he tapered off and has been soundly beaten by Alonso. He wasn't helped by the fact McLaren didn't provide him with a competitive car and might have been trying too hard to make up for it. But F1 is cut throat and he's failed to deliver for McLaren. I hope he gets a second chance somewhere else before totally writing him off though. It looks like his only possible saviour is Torro Rosso at this point as I think Giovinazzi will get the Sauber seat if Leclerc moves to Haas or Ferrari.

[GiorgioF1]

Norris for 2019 in McLaren.

 

https://www.mclaren....e-mclaren-2019/

[Gary Davies]

According to Dieter Rencken, “Vandoorne has been 0.35s slower than Alonso on average in qualifying so far this year. This is less than Daniel Ricciardo’s average deficit to Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen’s average deficit to Sebastian Vettel.”

Tough gig, F1

[Pentecost]

It was his race performances. Don't remember many memorable performances. Whilst Alonso found himself racing in the top ten, Stoffel was far behind.

That is where you're wrong. The midfield, being so clogged up nowadays, track position is everything. And here Alonso did have the upper hand thanks to his master race craft. But in reality Stoffel was often just some seconds behind, the thing is there were usually a couple of cars between them. The many races where Alonso finished in the bottom of the top 10, scoring some points, and Stoffel finishing around 11th or 12th, are a testament to this. Stoffel has disappointed in the sense that he hasn't given Alonso a hard time at all, but he's also been very unlucky, and has been mistreated by his team. He's been sacrificed for Alonso in some races like Monaco, and in some races it didn't even pay off for Alonso because he had an issue later on 

Edited by Pentecost, 03 September 2018 - 11:05.

[Sebastien007]

That was a nice tactic from McLaren , destroying first the car of Stoffel and then put him Under pressure and than fire him.

 

I will be surprised who will be the next victim.

 

Poor Mclaren

[TomNokoe]

NORRIS IN

[BuddyHolly]

Norris, that's interesting.  I would prefer Norris-Ocon but Norris-Sainz, okay..

[JHSingo]

Norris for 2019 in McLaren.

 

https://www.mclaren....e-mclaren-2019/

 

Wow, that was quick.

 

Brace yourself for "the new Hamilton" comments. 

[w1Y]

Kimi in macca retur

edit: ^^^ too late is norris

Edited by w1Y, 03 September 2018 - 11:07.

[Pentecost]

Signing Norris is just ridiculous. Why is he being viewed as the next hot thing? I find Russell to be much more impressive in F2. 

[Marklar]

For the first time since 2007 McLaren will have a complete new driver pairing.

And it's a Spaniard with a British rookie again xD

Wonder where this leaves Ocon, though

Not really convinced of Norris either. He hasnt been impressive recently. Feels like it's too early, but at least there is no Alonso who could burn him with his superiority.

Edited by Marklar, 03 September 2018 - 11:10.

[GiorgioF1]

Say what You want about McLaren, but at least they give their juniors a chance.

 

Sainz & Norris seems like the cheapest lineup to get throught the "dark times" for them though.

Edited by GiorgioF1, 03 September 2018 - 11:14.

[JHSingo]

For the first time since 2007 McLaren will have a complete new driver pairing.

And it's a Spaniard with a British rookie again xD

Wonder where this leaves Ocon, though

Not really convinced of Norris either. He hasnt been impressive recently. Feels like it's too early, but at least there is no Alonso who could burn him with his superiority.

 

My dream scenario would be Ocon and Russell being at Williams, but don't know how likely that is at this stage...

[messy]

Good to see Norris get a shot, but he's not quite torn up trees the way he was probably expected to in F2. Yet. 

 

Still, who else was there? Ocon is a Mercedes junior and there's the height issue, not sure that was ever really on. It's Sainz who I think is an underwhelming signing. 

Edited by messy, 03 September 2018 - 11:24.

[Eff1]

This is not surprising at all.
He is not close enough to Alonso and I don’t think he has beaten him once this year. Maybe he will get a shot at Torro Rosso.

[Vielleicht]

Norris has great talent, but I really do still question how sensible F1’s general pursuit of super young and fresh talent really is.

[statman]

Signing Norris is just ridiculous. Why is he being viewed as the next hot thing? I find Russell to be much more impressive in F2. 

 

I do think Norris is a talent, but you're right. He has only 1 win so far in GP2. Russell is the impressive one.