Bahrain supplied us with an incredible race this weekend. After the chequered flag, several drivers were in the running for the title of star driver. After discussion and deliberation, I finally came to the conclusion that this week’s star driver should be Stoffel Vandoorne.
The 24-year-old was racing in the car of Fernando Alonso after FIA doctors ruled it wasn’t safe for the Spaniard to race following his collision in Australia. Vandoorne is part of the McLaren Young Driver programme and the GP2 2015 Champion and hence, was the obvious choice to fill Alonso’s boots for this weekend.
This was Vandoorne’s first Formula One race in his career. The pressure on him was great as everyone seemed to be intrigued by him, especially after Button retired from the race. He handled this with incredible sportsmanship and professionalism as he managed to finish in tenth place, winning McLaren their first point of the 2016 World Championship.
All in all, Vandoorne seemed to take to Formula One like a duck to water. It all seemed very natural.
Vandoorne drove an excellent debut in Formula One that has left several people with no doubt that he’ll be a permanent fixture on the grid within the next few years. Congratulations to Stoffel on an incredible premiere Formula One race and McLaren on their first 2016 Championship point.
