Stoffel Vandoorne says he is ready and motivated for Formula 1’s return to action this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, with the summer break having given him the opportunity to switch off and relax before he attacks the final nine races of 2018.
The McLaren F1 Team race is under pressure to perform this weekend in his home Grand Prix as he fights to save his future with the Woking-based team, with a seat alongside Carlos Sainz Jr. the target for the Belgian after the recent announcement from Fernando Alonso that he would not race in Formula 1 in 2019.
“I’ve never felt more ready to come back after the summer break!” said Vandoorne. “I’ve really enjoyed the time away, being able to switch off and spend time with friends and family that I don’t often get to see much between races, but I’m definitely looking forward to getting back in the car.
“My home race is always one of the key highlights of the season, and every year I go there we see more and more passionate fans in the grandstands. The feeling is incredible and the whole team always receives a very warm welcome everywhere we go.”
Vandoorne said heading into the summer break with a retirement in the Hungarian Grand Prix whilst running inside the points was disappointing, and he will be looking to break a pointless run that stretches back to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of April this weekend in his homeland.
“Although the DNF was hugely disappointing in Hungary, I had a much more positive feeling in the car and my main objective is to carry this momentum forward to Spa and these back-to-back races,” said the Belgian.
“Spa is also my favourite track – as it is for many other drivers – and I’ve raced there all through my junior career, so it feels like a second home for me and I hope we can put on a good show for the Belgian fans.”
