Brown: 'Vandoorne should have been more aggressive with us'

McLaren boss Zak Brown believes Stoffel Vandoorne should have perhaps displayed more character during his two-year stint in F1 with the Woking-based outfit.

Heralded as a bright young talent when he made the grid in 2017, Vandoorne's failed to deliver on the team's expectations, although the reverse also holds true given McLaren's dismal period of under-performance, its worst in its 50-year history.

In short, the Belgian was in the right place at the wrong time, but Brown also wonders if his driver's personality and character are suited for the fiercely competitive and cut-throat world of F1.

• Vandoorne sees 'steep learning curve' ahead in Formula E

"Was he too corporate? No, I wouldn't say that," Brown said.

"He's a very, very nice guy, but maybe he should have been a bit more aggressive with us.

"When Fernando doesn't like something about the car, he does not hesitate to raise his voice. Maybe for Stoffel it was more difficult for him to do that in this environment."

Fernando Alonso regards his current team mate as one of the best drivers of his generation, and the Spaniard hopes Vandoorne's move to Formula E will be a successful one.

"Stoffel was unlucky to be with McLaren at this time, with the cars he had at his disposal in these two years," he said, speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

"I think it's a good thing for him to change. He won in every category he ever did, but Formula 1 is the only discipline in motor racing where talent is not enough to overcome the weaknesses of the car."

Indeed, success in Formula E for Vandoorne would contradict the old silly saying that nice guys always finish last...

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