McLaren will be looking to repeat their performance from Hungary and finish ‘best of the rest’ behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull at the Singapore Grand Prix, according to Stoffel Vandoorne.
Much like Budapest, the street circuit layout is one of the least power-demanding of the year meaning the underperforming Honda engine isn’t such a weakness as the track will represent a big test for the McLaren chassis and where it stands in the pecking order.
The big concern remains reliability with both Vandoorne and teammate Fernando Alonso retiring at Monza, although the Belgian driver will be hoping to build on the positive signs from the race in Italy and optimise the opportunity Singapore should create.
“In terms of the performance of our package on track, and from my personal side too, I think it was a very strong weekend considering the layout of Monza, and the straight line speed deficit we know we have,” Vandoorne said speaking after the Italian race to Motorsport.com. “To be able to run in the top 10 in practice and to make it through to Q3 was a great result.
“Coming from the back of the grid, my start was very good. I gained three or four places in the first lap and then gained a few other places on the opening laps. We were actually going quite strong, and following the Toro Rosso, the Red Bull and the Haas on track. I felt we were quicker than them, but it was just very difficult to overtake.”
Significant news is expected on the engine front, with a decision for 2018 anticipated before next weekend’s race. Having both cars retire yet again probably didn’t help Honda in their efforts to save the McLaren partnership, but the former GP2 champion is confident no grid penalties should be incurred.
“It appears that the failure does not mean a penalty for the next race in Singapore because I think we can change the parts,” he claimed. “So everything should be fine with the engine, and that is positive for Singapore because we want to have a trouble-free weekend.
“I think Singapore will be a good opportunity for us to score some good points, but we need to remember there are two Mercedes, two Ferrari and two Red Bulls that will still be in front of us. So we just need to work hard and then I think we can emerge as the fourth team in Singapore.”
