Source: McLaren Media Centre

F1 News

Vandoorne hoping to avoid repeat of last season's Brazil GP

Vandoorne hoping to avoid repeat of last season's Brazil GP

05-11-2018 13:10
Author profile picture

Bobby Vincent

McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne is hoping to avoid last season's DNF in Brazil on Sunday, with it being his last chance to race on the Interlagos Circuit for a while in a Formula One car.

In the 2017 Brazil Grand Prix, Vandoorne crashed out early on, after a clash with Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen forced the Belgian driver to retire from the race.

"Last year, my experience of Interlagos was a short one as I was involved in an incident on the first-lap and was forced to retire, so I hope I don't see a repeat for either myself or Fernando (Alonso, McLaren team-mate) this weekend," Vandoorne explained.

"From the time I did spend on the track, I thought it was a really cool circuit and can see why so many drivers from history talk about it as being one of the best in the world. It's fast and flowing and you can really attack the corners."

Vandoorne, who is looking to bow out in fashion at McLaren, managed an impressive eighth placed finish in Mexico and the driver has insisted him and his team will do everything in their power to ensure a double points finish for himself and Alonso.

"Points in Mexico was a great boost for the team, and both Fernando and I will be chasing a solid performance in Brazil," Vandoorne explained. "As usual, we'll work hard on our preparation and strategy to try and get the best possible result in front of the Brazilian fans."