Vandoorne will fight and work with Alonso

©WRI2

McLaren's Stoffel Vandooren doesn't have any inhibitions about going up against Fernando Alonso but the Belgian says he will first and foremost work with the Spanish driver to improve his team's performance.

Vandoorne is on the verge of his first full season of F1, having entered one race last year when he replaced the injured Alonso in Bahrain and scored one championship point.

While fully aware of his team mate's credentials, the 24-year-old how vowed to sustain a collaborative relationship in an effort to to drive the team's performance forward.

"The main goal is to work with Alonso to steer McLaren back to the top," he told Belgian broadcaster Sporza.

"If we start to produce results, there will of course be some more competition between us. That is just typical Formula 1.

"But in the beginning I will obviously need to learn a lot. It is perhaps the first time I have gone into a season not really knowing how it will go."

Alonso untroubled by rookie Vandoorne

Despite his lack of experience, Vandoorne is confident in his ability to deliver in a team where previous young chargers have often met their fate.

"Personally, I feel capable of competing for the world title. At any rate, with Alonso I have a good reference point.

"He is a two time world champion and almost the entire paddock still thinks he's the most compete driver on the grid.

"For me it's very positive to be able to race alongside him. McLaren treats its drivers equally so we will both have the same opportunities. And of course people will compare me and Fernando."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

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.