Stoffel Vandoorne would consider options outside of McLaren in Formula 1 for 2017 if there is no seat available, but remains committed to the team ahead of his move into Super Formula.
Vandoorne won the GP2 Series title at the second attempt in 2015, setting new records for wins and points scored en route to a comfortable championship success.
The Belgian driver will spend 2016 racing in the Japanese Super Formula series with Honda-backed Docomo Team Dandelion, as well as attending all F1 races with McLaren as its reserve driver.
When asked by Grand Prix Times if he would explore other options for 2017 if McLaren does not have an F1 seat available, Vandoorne said that he remains focused on securing a seat with the British team and is under contract with them, but would consider other options if there is no space.
"It’s still a bit early days, we’re only at the start of 2016, but yeah obviously during the course of the season I’ll have to focus on 2017, and that’s definitely the time when I want to be in Formula 1," Vandoorne said.
"Hopefully that will be with McLaren, that’s where I would very much like to be. I’m contracted to them as well.
"But yeah, if there’s no space here, then if there are any other options available, then I have to consider them.
"But at the moment it’s still too early to know anything about that."
Vandoorne is relishing the opportunity to enter a new series such as Super Formula and cut his teeth on some of Japan's most iconic tracks against a competitive field.
"I'm looking forward to it, definitely looking forward to getting back in the car soon as it’s been a while," Vandoorne said.
"It’s going to be a new challenge for me I would say. I feel like it’s the first time I’m going into a championship where I’m going a little bit into the unknown, where I don’t really know what to expect from it. It’s on the other side of the world for me.
"I’ll have to learn the Japanese culture, work with a lot of Japanese people and a new series as well which I don’t really know much about.
"I feel I’m prepared for it, I’ve done a lot of work over the winter with the team already. I’m in regular contact with them now as well to setup for the season and yeah, looking forward to getting started now really."
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