SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

Vandoorne not new McLaren reserve

Stoffel Vandoorne has not been drafted into McLaren's lineup as reserve driver, the British team said on Wednesday.

Stoffel Vandoorne has not been drafted into McLaren's lineup as reserve driver, the British team said on Wednesday.

Regular reserve Kevin Magnussen is not in Singapore this weekend after breaking his hand in a cycling crash.

The Dane has also been linked with a move for 2016 to Haas.

So when fellow McLaren junior Vandoorne was spotted on Wednesday in Singapore, where GP2 is not scheduled to race, some surmised that the Belgian might be stepping in as the Honda-powered team's new reserve.

"Stoffel is in Singapore to do media work for Belgian TV, which arrangement was made many weeks ago," a spokesman told us.

"McLaren will not have an official reserve driver here in Singapore this weekend, although Stoffel will of course base himself at McLaren and will assist us when and where required," the McLaren official added.

(GMM)