Stoffel Vandoorne believes team politics and a lack of support from McLaren contributed to his disappointing performance in 2018 and his subsequent departure from F1.<\/p>\n
The Belgian driver was perceived as one of the sport’s brightest young talents when he stepped into the limelight with the Woking-based outfit in 2017.<\/p>\n
But the team’s dismal state of affairs and the presence of Fernando Alonso on the other side of the McLaren garage combined to pressure Vandoorne, with the 26-year-old inexplicably failing to raise his game.<\/p>\n
Many in the paddock are at a loss to understand why he never flourished given his outstanding track record in the junior categories.<\/p>\n
Vandoorne hints at what went on behind the scenes at McLaren as part of the reasons why he failed to deliver.<\/p>\n
“You have not seen everything that went on behind the scenes — all the politics,” he said speaking to Belgian daily La Derni\u00e8re Heure.<\/em><\/p>\n “I cannot say everything, but perhaps you can imagine. Personally I have no regrets, I did my job as best as I could.”<\/p>\n Vandoorne also pointed to an apparent lack of support from McLaren when doubts crept in.<\/p>\n “What I missed the most in some moments was the feeling of the confidence of the team,” he added.<\/p>\n “It’s not always easy to perform and give the best of yourself when you know that they are negotiating with other drivers at the same time, but I did not give up and I ended my season with some good races.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Vandoorne bid goodbye to F1 on Sunday evening at Yas Marina, and he will now focus his attention on Formula E, a series he will race in with the Mercedes-affiliated HWA outfit, starting next month.<\/p>\n