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Brown hoping Vandoorne will come back to Formula 1

Brown hoping Vandoorne will come back to Formula 1

28-11-2018 12:31
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Bobby Vincent

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has expressed his wish for Stoffel Vandoorne to make a return to Formula One in the future, with the Belgian switching to Formula E for 2019.

Vandoorne was axed by McLaren in October, with Lando Norris replacing him to partner Carlos Sainz Jr. for next season.

"Stoffel's a great talent," Brown believes, speaking to Reuters. "I think he did have a fair crack at it in a very poor race car. He did have a pretty difficult team-mate (Fernando Alonso).

"But we have him two solid years and we gave Fernando and himself equal equipment. But sometimes things don't click.

"I think he'll go onto be successful in Formula E. And I think we could see him back in Formula One. Stoffel is definitely a Formula One calibre driver, so you can see him back for sure. I wouldn't be surprised.

"It wouldn't be the first time a driver struggled a little bit at first, and then gelled a little bit later on."

Vandoorne could only manage 16th place in the drivers' standings - scoring only 12 points; 38 less than his 11th-placed team-mate Alonso.