Boullier: 'Vandoorne needs to change his driving style'

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McLaren race director Eric Boullier has urged Stoffel Vandoorne to tweak his driving style in order to better adapt to Formula 1.

Vandoorne conceded half a secodn to team mate Fernando Alonso in yesterdays' qualifying session, a gap which the Belgian driver himself admitted was too much.

"I don’t really know what happened," said the 25-year-old yesterday.

"On Friday I was feeling quite comfortable and confident in the car, happy with the performance, and everything was moving in the right direction to do a bit better today."

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Boullier has offered a suggestion as to why the rookie is currently struggling compared to his notorious team mate.

"The reason is simple and Stoffel knows it very well," the Frenchman said.

"The problem for rookies from the junior categories is the braking. He is used to braking very late and entering the corners on the brakes, but F1 is different.

"He has to change his driving style, but I am sure it will come," Boullier added.

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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.