Projected 2018 driver lineup
McLaren, Renault
Stoffel Vandoorne, 25, is set to return to McLaren for a second full-time Formula One season after a solid rookie season, as he signed a contract to remain with the team in the 2018 season. He has been solid in his rookie season given the fact that he has not had much to work with with underpowered and unreliable Honda engines.
After all, through 18 races so far this season, Vandoorne sits in 15th place in the drivers standings, which is higher than his two-time Formula One champion teammate Fernando Alonso, who is in equal equipment. Vandoorne has finished in the top 10 three times in the 2017 season with a top finish of 7th place, his career-high finish, which he has recorded twice.
Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso, 36, is, in fact, set to return to McLaren for the fourth season in a row in his 17th career full-time Formula One season. While there was speculation that he would leave the team due to frustrations over the lack of speed and reliability in the team’s Honda engines, the team announced that they would be switching to Renault engines in the 2018 season.
That speculation continued when Alonso did not immediately re-sign with the team for next season, but it was put to bed when it was confirmed that he would be returning to the team. Through 18 races so far this season, he sits in 16th place in the drivers standings with three top 10 finishes and a top finish of 6th.