Gradual progress pays off for impressive rookie Vandoorne

Stoffel Vandoorne passed his first real rookie test with flying colors, securing a 12th place position on tomorrow's grid and beating McLaren-Honda team mate Jenson Button by two spots in the process.

Subbing for the still side-lined Fernando Alonso, the Belgian gradually and sensibly built up his speed and pace during each practice session, fine-tuning himself and his car along the way with consistency and maturity.

His performance in Q1 put him comfortably out of knock-out reach while McLaren allowed just one flying lap for each driver with Vandoorne gaining the upper hand over Button, and ending up 12th.

For his baptism of fire as a fully-fledged Grand Prix driver, the reigning GP2 champion confessed  his satisfaction.

"I can't really complain how my qualifying went," said Vandoorne.

"Jumping into qualifying for the first time I didn't really know what to expect, but I had a good feeling from yesterday in FP2.

"This morning's session was a bit compromised but overall we managed to get some laps in and I felt really confident in the car. This afternoon we more or less maximised our chances."

Outperforming team mate Jenson Button is obviously no small feat, regardless of the circumstances. While the result somewhat surprised the Belgian, it was just a little extra bonus in the overall mix of things.

"To out-qualify Jenson was a little bit of a surprise maybe, but I knew I was very close to him after the practice session. For a first qualifying session I think I can be fairly happy."

With Formula 1 testing once again the time-based knock-out qualifying system, drivers dealt with the pressure, and as a rookie, Vandoorne did the same.

"You only get a couple of shots to really get through to Q2, and when you only have one lap it's obviously puts pressure on the driver.

"But today was quite a good lap, although there are always some bits one can improve. If I'd had another chance maybe I would have done better but it's the same for everybody."

In spite of his good start, McLaren's young apprentice isn't making any predictions for tomorrow's race and will manage the cards he shall be dealt.

"There are a lot of things to analyse before tomorrow's race, like different strategies, but I feel confident that I can do a good job. What it will bring us, it's still too early to say. We'll see tomorrow..."

AS IT HAPPENED: Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying

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