Renault puts Vandoorne on potential 2019 short list

40

Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul says he is keeping track of Stoffel Vandoorne as a potential contender for a seat with the works team next season.

The French outfit hopes to keep Carlos Sainz in its team alongside Nico Hulkenberg next year, but should Daniel Ricciardo leave Red Bull, the energy drink company could exercise its right to bring Sainz back to the Milton Keynes-based team.

Abiteboul is looking at Vandoorne as a matter of covering its options, just in case.

"Do not say that Stoffel will join Renault because it is absolutely not the case," he told Belgian daily La Derniere Heure.

"But he is a driver that we look at. When I wonder about the possible options, I take Vandoorne into consideration."

Vandoorne still convinced he is 'the future of McLaren'

The 26-year-old McLaren driver has already said that he has no intention of moving away from Woking and believes he is the team's future.

However, McLaren may not share that view given his under-performance this season relative to team mate Fernando Alonso.

"I think his situation is quite difficult. I don't know the ins and outs, but sometimes a change of environment allows a driver to get the oxygen to bounce back," said Abiteboul.

"He was fast, talented, consistent in all of the lower categories and there is no reason for all that to disappear," he insisted.

"But when you have Fernando next door it's complicated, especially in McLaren's circumstances of recent years.

"But he is a high level driver that we can look at in the future, depending on how our situation evolves," said the Frenchman.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.