Vandoorne: These two years at McLaren the worst I ever had

With Fernando Alonso quitting Formula 1 at the end of the season and Carlos Sainz stepping in to replace his fellow Spaniard, one seat remains available with the squad for 2019.

Rumours churning through the paddock have under-performing Vandoorne being ditched, possibly before the end of this season with a queue of candidates hankering for his seat on the grid, including Lando Norris, Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon.

Vandoorne admitted to reporters at Monza, "I read everything you write and so far it is quite entertaining."

"That's how Formula One is. It's about being in the right place at the right time. These two years at McLaren were probably the worst I ever had to go through."

Statistics show that Alonso is trouncing the young Belgian, once one of the most highly rated up-and-coming young drivers, in qualifying and in races.

But Vandoorne feels that the stats do not tell the full story, "It was very, very close between us but because we are so uncompetitive, everything is exaggerated."

"I think I proved in the past that I'm able to win races and championships. I haven't forgotten how to drive. Everyone knows that it's a difficult situation at the moment but we can only improve," added Vandoorne.

McLaren team chief Zak Brown admitted that there are a number of drivers they are considering to partner Sainz next year, but insisted that the 26-year-old Belgian could be the man.

“Vandoorne is very much [a contender]. Ocon is someone we like. Perez is a good race-car driver. If he’s a driver we decide to go after, there are ways to make that happen,” explained Brown.

Meanwhile, suggestions that Vandoorne could find refuge with Sauber where his former F2 team chief, and mentor of sorts, Frederic Vasseur now runs the show, but the Frenchman denied such an option, "Stoffel is not part of our plans for 2019."