Stoffel Vandoorne has today in Hockenheim insisted that he knows nothing about his future, amid rumours linking him to a Manor drive for the rest of this year as well as a full-time McLaren race seat for 2017.
Some of these rumours suggest he could be in a Manor race seat imminently, and some thought it could have been as soon as this German Grand Prix weekend. The McLaren reserve and GP2 champion maintained though that he himself has heard nothing and that as far as he knows there has been no contact about him between Manor and McLaren.
"It's just rumours," he insisted. "It's nice to see that there is interest from other teams… there's nothing more I can add to that.
"I haven't spoken to anyone, and if there is an interest from their [Manor's] part than they will probably contact McLaren and I'm sure we would have talked about it.
"If they want to have me in their car then the first step probably is to contact McLaren."
Vandoorne recognised the benefits of racing for Manor for the remainder of this season however: "For sure it has positives, it has maybe some negatives as well, but I'm racing driver, I always want to be in a racing car. I like to be behind the wheel.
"It could for sure be a good preparation in terms of next year. It's maybe not the most competitive car but you still learn how to work in an environment like Formula One, especially the tracks as well I think, at the end of the year is all of the tracks I've never been to or never been to in GP2, so that would be quite something good."
As for the possibility of racing for McLaren next season, Vandoorne again insisted he knew little.
"It's pretty logical at this stage, I have some talks with the team which is quite normal, but like we've always said we'll have to wait until September before we know really what is going to go on. It's approaching fast now which is good.
"It's difficult to know at the moment [what McLaren's decision will be]. I feel positive, that's the good thing about it. I feel I will be in Formula One next year, hopefully with this team."
He did however state that McLaren wasn't his only F1 option for 2017. "I've always said it's a priority to be in Formula One next year and if for some reason it doesn't turn out to be here then I expect some other opportunities as well."
Discussion about this post