Stoffel Vandoorne believes he showed what he can do in Formula 1 on his debut for McLaren in the Bahrain Grand Prix, and that scoring a point was a bonus.
Stepping in at short notice after Fernando Alonso was ruled unfit to race due to chest injuries from his massive Australian GP crash, GP2 champion Vandoorne had not tested the 2016 McLaren-Honda prior to Friday practice.
He went on to outqualify team-mate Jenson Button and take 12th on the grid, then finished 10th after a combative race in the upper midfield.
“I think for my Formula 1 debut, I can be very happy with that,” Vandoorne said.
“Since the beginning of the weekend I felt very comfortable in the car.
“I’m just happy I didn’t make any mistakes operationally, and to come away with a point is a bonus.
“This weekend was a big opportunity for me to get in the car and I’m very happy I got it.
“I think I made the most of it and showed what I’m capable of, and now it’s just wait and see.”
Alonso will still have to satisfy the FIA he is fit to race in the next grand prix in China in a fortnight, meaning another McLaren chance for Vandoorne is possible.
But he said he was not thinking about this possibility at present and was assuming his next race start would be when his Super Formula campaign kicks off at Suzuka three weeks from now.
“I see this as a one-shot, and I’m grateful for the opportunity I had,” said Vandoorne.
Button acknowledged Vandoorne did “a good job”, but intimated that he had flattered the Belgian with his qualifying underperformance and race day misfortune.
The 2009 champion had been running ahead of Vandoorne when he retired with a power unit problem.
“He knows the team very well. We’ve seen with youngsters they can get in these cars and be very quick in qualifying,” said Button of Vandoorne.
“It’s a pity that I couldn’t show you what I could do this weekend.
“I think we would’ve got some really good points, but luck is not on our side at the moment.”
