Vandoorne ready to rise and lead at McLaren

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Stoffel Vandoorne believes he is strong enough to lead McLaren if Fernando Alonso decides to call it a day with the Woking-Based outfit.

The prospect of racing with Renault power next season has tilted the balance in favour of Alonso extending his stay at McLaren, at least for another year.

But the Spaniard has yet to sign a contract, and if the two-time world champion ultimately decides to move on, Vandoorne, who appears to have raised his game in the last couple of races, is ready to pick up the leading baton.

"A hundred percent! I think everything is going in the good direction," Vandoorne told Racer.

"The team relies a lot on me, because I spend a lot of time in the factory as well with the aerodynamicists, in the simulator, with the other technical guys.

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"So for sure [I feel ready to lead]. I mean, Fernando is not going to continue forever so how long he will stay in F1, if he will stay with us, I don't know.

"I'm just pushing from my side, not thinking too much about my teammate to be honest and to really trying to prepare for the future."

McLaren's deal with Renault will provide the team with a package in 2018 theoretically similar to the one enjoyed by front-runner Red Bull Racing.

Vandoorne views the winning Milton Keynes-based outfit as the de facto benchmark to which McLaren will compare itself next season.

Does the Begian believe McLaren can beat Red Bull Racing in 2018?

"I hope we can, yes. How big a step of performance we will make next year is difficult to say," says the 25-year-old Belgian.

"I think it will definitely be better and for sure Red Bull is a big benchmark for us, so I think it should be our aim to be very close with them but still we have to wait and see.

"It will already be a big step forward. On some circuits we will be close but I think we need to wait and see how we progress."

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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.