Stoffel Vandoorne becomes one of McLaren-Honda's permanent drivers
Stoffel Vandoorne has gained a place as one of the permanent drivers in the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. The 24-year-old West Fleming has been part of the McLaren team for a while, and has been driving as a test or reserve driver.
In 2017, Stoffel Vandoorne will be promoted from test and reserve driver to one of McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team's permanent drivers. The news is not a complete surprise, as McLaren has been coaching Vandoorne from a very young age. Under the wings of former world champion Jenson Button, the West Fleming has impressed everyone in the lower racing classes these past years. Vandoorne is now taking Button's place and signing a one-year contract. Even though McLaren has not been the leading team these last few years, Vandoorne hopes that he can compete for the prizes in 2017 due to the technical changes in the regulations in the Formula 1.
This season, Vandoorne was allowed to debut in the Formula 1, as his future team mate Fernando Alonso was injured. In Bahrein he immediately won a point during the World Cup. His performance there convinced the management of McLaren to give Vandoorne a chance to perform at the highest level. For the Roeselarenaar it is the crowning moment of a decade of hard work. When he was six years old, he began his career in go-karts and slowly worked his way up. After a world title in the F4 Eurocup 1.6 and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, he experienced his greatest moment yet in 2015 - his victory in the GP2.