Fernando Alonso says he hopes current McLaren team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne will soon be able to secure a “top seat” in Formula 1.
Alonso and Vandoorne will both leave McLaren’s Formula 1 team at the end of the season but whereas the Spaniard wants to explore other opportunities, Vandoorne has been ousted in favour of Lando Norris.
Vandoorne’s options to remain on the grid appear limited with the Belgian conceding ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix that his 2019 chances are “very slim”.
“With Stoffel you need to be lucky in your cars and your decisions and performance,” said Alonso.
“Hopefully he can find a top seat soon in F1 because he has the talent and he showed the talent in the previous categories.
“It was a very unlucky situation for him,” added Alonso on Vandoorne joining McLaren at its lowest ebb.
“Only [Charles] Leclerc and Stoffel have the record in F2 of dominating the championship.
“And one is now in Ferrari and one is not continuing with McLaren next year.”
Alonso nonetheless believes Vandoorne’s successor Norris has the potential to thrive when he graduates to Formula 1 next season.
“It is early days to say but it is a great chance,” said Alonso.
“You come to one of the best teams in F1, McLaren. He has been a McLaren driver for many years now. It is good to see these young talented guys have the chance to shine in F1.
“We wish him the best and will try to help him as much as we can landing into this world.
“Then it is up to his talent to do the job next year, but I think it is going to be great for the team and him.”
Alonso also confirmed that he is “still looking at different possibilities” regarding his 2019 plans and that “hopefully in a couple of weeks or one month I can conclude something and tell you guys.”
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