564a3764d7b8a0505228394686b5edfdf0e99ade

Brown hoping Vandoorne will come back to Formula 1

13:31, 28 Nov 2018

byBobby 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.