Stoffel Vandoorne to lose McLaren seat after 2018 Formula 1 season
Stoffel Vandoorne will lose his McLaren Formula 1 drive at the end of the 2018 season
Vandoorne has endured a difficult second season paired alongside Fernando Alonso, and McLaren has now decided to part ways with Vandoorne after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
"We're immensely thankful for Stoffel's dedication, hard work and commitment during his time at McLaren," said McLaren CEO Zak Brown.
"He's a talented racing driver with an incredible list of accolades in his junior career.
"We're proud to have played a part in his break into Formula 1, from his role as test driver to his fantastic points-scoring debut in Bahrain in 2016.
"It's clear we haven't provided Stoffel with the tools to show his true talent, but throughout our relationship he's proved to be a fantastic team player.
"His work ethic is impressive, he has a great reputation within the team and we've really enjoyed working with him.
"Of course, we would have loved to achieve more success during our time together, but that doesn't detract from the fact that he will always be a part of the McLaren family of grand prix drivers.
"For now, we look to the future and to the remaining grands prix in 2018, where I know both Stoffel and Fernando will be pushing hard to fight for as many points as possible before we close the curtain on this season.
"We wish Stoffel all the best in whatever direction he chooses to take next in his career, and we'll be supporting him all the way.
"We will announce our full driver line-up for the 2019 season in due course."
McLaren has already signed Carlos Sainz Jr to replace Alonso when Alonso steps down at the end of the season, and the team has been linked with several drivers that could potentially replace Vandoorne - including current Force India pairing Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez.
McLaren also recently handed junior driver Lando Norris free practice outings at Spa and Monza, as the team evaluates the Formula 2 title contender for possible promotion to F1 in 2019.
Vandoorne, who has recently had to deny speculation he could be replaced before the end of the season, thanked McLaren for its prior support for his career in a parting statement.
"I'm very grateful to McLaren for investing their faith in me over the past five years," Vandoorne said.
"While we haven't achieved the success we'd all hoped for, I've really enjoyed the past two seasons racing for McLaren and I have a great relationship with everyone in the team.
"My time at McLaren has been a great chapter in my career and I'm thankful for the opportunity the team, Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa and Mansour Ojjeh have given me to gain valuable Formula 1 experience and develop as a driver.
"I intend to give it my all for the remaining seven races of this season, and will announce my plans for next season in due course."
Daniil Kvyat closing on return to Toro Rosso Formula 1 team in 2019
McLaren picks Lando Norris to replace Stoffel Vandoorne for F1 2019
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
Vandoorne hopes Peugeot WEC deal won't compromise Aston Martin F1 reserve role
Vandoorne hopes Peugeot WEC deal won't compromise Aston Martin F1 reserve role Vandoorne hopes Peugeot WEC deal won't compromise Aston Martin F1 reserve role
Muller likely to return to Peugeot WEC line-up for Bahrain
Muller likely to return to Peugeot WEC line-up for Bahrain Muller likely to return to Peugeot WEC line-up for Bahrain
The trait Vandoorne rediscovered to claim Formula E's era-ending title
The trait Vandoorne rediscovered to claim Formula E's era-ending title The trait Vandoorne rediscovered to claim Formula E's era-ending title
McLaren: No shortcut for Piastri in understanding F1 tyre deg challenge
McLaren: No shortcut for Piastri in understanding F1 tyre deg challenge McLaren: No shortcut for Piastri in understanding F1 tyre deg challenge
McLaren forging closer ties with Toyota as F1 rumours swirl
McLaren forging closer ties with Toyota as F1 rumours swirl McLaren forging closer ties with Toyota as F1 rumours swirl
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat
How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’ Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
Alpine F1 team posts profits for 2022 season
Alpine F1 team posts profits for 2022 season Alpine F1 team posts profits for 2022 season
AlphaTauri plays down talk of running Red Bull RB19 F1 clone in 2024
AlphaTauri plays down talk of running Red Bull RB19 F1 clone in 2024 AlphaTauri plays down talk of running Red Bull RB19 F1 clone in 2024
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.