Stoffel Vandoorne Can Cement His Status as McLaren’s ‘Next 1’ at Bahrain GP

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at Internationaled.org

Published: April 2, 2016

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Stoffel Vandoorne made his much-anticipated Formula One debut on Friday, during free practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The 24-year-old McLaren reserve is a last-minute substitute for Fernando Alonso, who was injured in a high-speed crash in Melbourne, Australia, two weeks ago and ruled out of this weekend's race by the FIA following a medical examination.

This isn't Vandoorne's first time in an F1 car; he has tested for McLaren, including at the Pirelli wet-tyre test in January. However, Friday marked his first time driving the team's 2016 challenger and his first time driving during an official grand prix weekend.

Still, expectations are high for the young Belgian. He dominated the GP2 series last year, winning the championship by 160 points, and was second to newly minted Renault man Jolyon Palmer the year before. In 2013, Vandoorne finished second behind Kevin Magnussen in Formula Renault 3.5. That's where those lofty expectations come from.



With a strong showing this weekend, Vandoorne could solidify his presumptive status as the man to fill either Jenson Button's or Alonso's seat in the near future, with both veterans the subject of persistent retirement talk.

Last October, NBC F1 reporter Will Buxton wrote on Twitter that Vandoorne is, "An incredible talent destined for great things":



And on Friday in Bahrain, he did not disappoint. It is dangerous to read too much into practice times, but in the second free practice session (the one with conditions most similar to the race, which takes place in the evening), Vandoorne posted the 11th-fastest lap, albeit nearly three-quarters of a second slower than Button.

That is not necessarily indicative of where he will qualify or finish in the race, but it does help demonstrate that he knows what he is doing in an F1 car. 

"He's done a really good job today and he is quick," Button said, per ESPN F1'...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Formula 1

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