F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Unhappy Vandoorne: 'Our package is not competitive'

Stoffel Vandoorne echoed the view of McLaren-Honda team mate Fernando Alonso, offering a damning assessment of his own about the team's current level of performance.

While the Belgian actually saw the checkered flag on Sunday, contrary to Alonso, it was no real consolation in the grand scheme of things at McLaren.

"The only positive point is that I finished the race, because I honestly didn't expect to," he told Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure.

"We went to the end, but we were never able to fight for anything. We lack so much power that it is impossible to fight. We're really driving in another category.

"We are more or less last. Our package is really not competitive," he said.

Starting an F1 career with McLaren is a luxury few young drivers have been awarded in the past, but Vandoorne is oblivious to history.

His focus is on the Woking outfit's sad state of affairs.

"I'm not happy but that's normal," said the 24-year-old.

"When you're 3 seconds down, it's not enjoyable because you're not really racing.

"We're getting new parts for China and Bahrain and we'll try to improve, but we know that it will take time. The next races will be just as difficult," he predicted.

GALLERY: all the pics from Sunday's action

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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