Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMcLaren

Boullier happy to see Vandoorne race in 2016

McLaren Honda racing director Eric Boullier believes Stoffel Vandoorne, the team's protégé and reserve drive for 2016, will only benefit from racing in Super Formula next season.

The Belgian, who blitzed his opposition this year in GP2, recently completed a test in Japan with a Honda-powered team and looks set to keep himself busy in the Super Formula series as he bides his time in the hope of graduating to Formula 1 in 2017.

"I would like him to be third driver here and do Super Formula," Boullier told Autosport.

"There are two objectives: one is to get the speed and the fitness for the driver and the other is the Super Formula car has a lot of grip, which is good preparation.

“It is better to be a third driver here and racing than doing something else. You have to keep your chances open."

No doubt McLaren will have learned the lessons from keeping Kevin Magnussen on the sidelines when he was not selected for a second F1 season in 2015, apart from a one-off appearance in Australia following Fernando Alonso's unavailability.

Magnussen was eventually released from McLaren, his F1 ambitions grinding to a halt.

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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.