Boullier: 'Vandoorne form not as good as expected'

©McLaren

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McLaren race director Eric Boullier admits that Stoffel Vandoorne's performance level this year has been disappointing.

Vandoorne has been outqualified by team mate Fernando Alonso at every race this year, and generally performed under par compared to expectations, and taking into account is impressive credentials garnered in the junior category.

McLaren is committed however to help the Belgian however improve his form.

"His form is not as good as expected, as we were all expected," Boullier told Sky F1's Simon Lazenby.

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"He had a pretty high track record in the junior categories, he won everything he went through like Lewis. He's very talented.

"It's true that we didn't give him 100 percent to do well because he had a lot of issues on his car and it was quite recurrent but we are now addressing this properly to help him drive the car the way we designed the car and the way we want him to drive to be fast.

"I'm confident he will achieve this. All the young drivers, starting with Verstappen, all struggling in the first six months."

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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.