Stoffel Vandoorne to Leave McLaren After 2018

McLaren have confirmed that Stoffel Vandoorne will not race for the team in 2019 after suffering a miserable season that has seen him outclassed by Fernando Alonso in 2018. The announcement would appear to trim McLaren’s shortlist for Carlos Sainz‘s 2019 team-mate to three names – Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon and Lando Norris – but Kimi Raikkonen could also feature in the team’s plans.

Vandoorne has been outqualified by Alonso at all 14 grands prix so far this year and has not finished ahead of the Spaniard when both have seen the chequered flag since last season’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

GP2 champion in 2015, Vandoorne arrived in F1 with a mighty pedigree, but he has struggled to make an impression as McLaren have lurched from one crisis to the next.

Zak Brown name-checked Vandoorne in a four-man shortlist over the Italian Grand Prix weekend, but Monza was awash with rumours that Raikkonen will not be retained by Ferrari next year – perhaps opening the door for the Finn to return to his former employers.

Commenting on Vandoorne’s impending departure, Brown said: “It’s clear we haven’t provided Stoffel with the tools to show his true talent, but throughout our relationship he’s proved to be a fantastic team player.

“His work ethic is impressive, he has a great reputation within the team and we’ve really enjoyed working with him.

“Of course, we would have loved to achieve more success during our time together, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that he will always be a part of the McLaren family of grand prix drivers.”

It may not necessarily spell the end of Vandoorne’s F1 career. The Belgian has been linked to Sauber – where a vacancy may be opened by Charles Leclerc replacing Raikkonen at Ferrari.

Vandoorne worked with Sauber team principal Fred Vasseur in GP2 and suggested that he will have an announcement to make about the 2019 season.