Source: McLaren Media Centre

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Alonso praises Vandoorne: One of the biggest talents in the paddock

Alonso praises Vandoorne: "One of the biggest talents in the paddock"

13-10-2018 15:00
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso has come out to praise his teammate Stoffel Vandoorne, who will likely not be in the Formula 1 next season, as Alonso thinks the Belgian is still one of the biggest talents in the paddock.

Both the Spaniard and the Belgian are leaving McLaren after this season, with Alonso retiring from the sport and Vandoorne not being offered a seat on the grid. He's expected to sign for Formula E team HWA in the coming days.

The pair will be replaced by rookie Lando Norris, who will make the step up from Formula 2 after impressing this season, and Carlos Sainz, who makes the switch from Renault.

While Vandoorne has been heavily criticized in his time at McLaren, especially this season as he hasn't been able to beat Alonso a single time in qualifying, the two-time champion thinks that Vandoorne is way better than what people give him credit for.

"If you look at my previous teammates, they were way farther [behind me] than Stoffel," Alonso told F1only.

"In 2014, it was six or seven-tenths of a gap with Kimi [Raikkonen] in each race. 

"It's less now, he [Vandoorne] arrived in a difficult car, with difficulties last year and this year too."

"It's a shame, in a sense, because Stoffel is one of the best talents. Only two drivers dominated Formula 2, Leclerc and Stoffel.

"Both have all the records, the poles, the victories. One will fight for the world title [next season] and the other will probably not be in F1 anymore.

"Formula 1 and motorsport are like that right now, you have to be in the best place at the best time. Stoffel probably missed the timing.

"It's probably always been that way in Formula 1, maybe not as extreme as Stoffel's, because he's one of the best talents in the paddock."