Stoffel Vandoorne is thrilled that his first full season in Formula One will be behind the wheel of what he calls "a proper McLaren."
The Belgian driver, who takes over from Jenson Button as a full time driver at McLaren in 2017, was talking at the official launch of the team's 2017 car with its bright orange and black livery.
"It’s really nice to see a McLaren looking like a proper McLaren," said the 24-year-old on friday morning.
"The livery is a great mix of the past and the future: the orange of the 1960s and ’70s, but pushed forwards. I really like it.
"As for the car itself, it looks great. There are so many beautiful little details – the gills on the nose hangers, the bargeboards, the front wing – it all looks incredibly well finished and thoroughly thought-out."
Vandoorne clearly could hardly wait to get to work, with the first four-day pre-season test scheduled to get underway on Monday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the first race of the season taking place next month in Melbourne.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for my whole life," said Vandoorne of the prospect ahead of him.
"My preparation has been long, intense and meticulous. I’ve spent the winter training ferociously hard, I’m fitter now than I’ve ever been, and I’m raring to get going. This is my opportunity. And I’m ready."
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