---
title: "Boullier offers answers regarding Vandoorne’s poor form"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/06/28/boullier-offers-answers-regarding-vandoornes-poor-form/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2017-06-28T18:47:21Z"
modified: "2017-06-28T18:47:21Z"
---

# Boullier offers answers regarding Vandoorne’s poor form

Eric Boullier has offered an explanation as to Stoffel Vandoorne’s curiously anonymous start to life in Formula 1, suggesting that the Belgian still needs to ‘find his place’ in the team.

Vandoorne’s difficult start to 2017 has seen him yet to record a point while having been outqualified by team mate Fernando Alonso at each and every round to date.

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier was keen to defend his driver prior to last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

“First of all, he’s had a lot of issues with his cars since the beginning of the season,” Boullier stated. “Not only the engine but also the car. A lot of little glitches that stop him, let’s say, doing complete runs during free practices and various qualifying \[sessions.\]

“Not only the engine but also the car. A lot of little glitches that stop him, let’s say, doing complete runs during free practices and various qualifying \[sessions.\]

“I think his confidence level then went a little bit lower – that’s why a couple of times in qualifying he was not ready to deliver on the first lap and that cost him actually a Q2 because there was a yellow flag or something else.

“I think it’s just for him to find his place in the team to make sure he can voice his needs to set up the car the way he likes to drive it.”

Vandoorne has unquestionably been hampered by Honda’s continuing reliability issues. As Boullier acknowledges, the Belgian has endured track time limitations that will invariably have a greater effect on a rookie.

In addition, Vandoorne has entered the paddock as one of GP2’s most successful champions. Claimed by many to have been the most impressive exponent of the machinery in the ‘Pirelli-era,’ the Belgian took seven race wins and four poles in his championship year of 2015.

Despite GP2 – now known as Formula 2 – being the most relevant feeder series in relation to F1, Boullier also noted the stark differences in car characteristics as one reason to explain Vandoorne’s struggles.

“Formula 1 is also a bit different when you talk about driving style so you need to maybe both need to move toward each other.

“We are now since a couple of races addressing this seriously with a working group around him – his engineers first but some others, trying to address this and get his confidence back.”