Vandoorne wants to emulate Magnussen and reset his career
Stoffel Vandoorne believes he can follow Kevin Magnussen’s example and reset his Formula 1 career after being dropped by the Mclaren team.
Like Vandoorne, Magnussen is a product of Mclaren’s young driver programme. He was let go at the end of 2015, after just one complete season in a race seat.
Magnussen rebuilt his career by moving first to Renault, then to Haas, where he has thrived in a less pressured and politically charged atmosphere.
“I feel a lot of support still from people high up in the Formula 1 paddock, let’s say, and people realise what the situation has been here at Mclaren,” said Vandoorne, who will be replaced by Lando Norris next season.
“Ask Kevin [Magnussen], he’s been in a kind of similar situation and I think he really benefitted from having a fresh start. It’s something I’m quite looking forward to as well, to have a fresh start and see what the future holds.
“The driver market has been a bit strange; things are moving, and seats are closing down every day almost.
“The chances to be on the F1 grid next year are very slim, but until everything is fixed I guess you’ve got to keep talking, keep trying and give everything for it. That’s all I can do at the moment.”
Vandoorne has also been approached by Dale Coyne Racing about driving for the team in Indycar next season.