Stoffel Vandoorne says being supported by McLaren has been a huge boost to his chances of racing in Formula 1 in the future.
Vandoorne, currently second in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, recently joined McLaren's young driver programme.
Vandoorne, making his first paddock appearance with McLaren, spoke to the media on Friday evening in Belgium.
"I’m here as a guest of McLaren, just following the Formula 1 world and trying to make contacts in this world as everyone knows it’s difficult," he said.
The Belgian also said signing for McLaren wasn't a big surprise.
"McLaren has followed me for a long time so it wasn’t actually a big surprise but more a big motivation to be supported by such a great time. Hopefully I can stay a long time here.".
"It’s a lot of confidence to be supported by a Formula 1 team, [especially] one with so much history and big results. They have the resources and the funding to put a lot of effort in the young driver programme and prepare a young driver for Formula 1."
Vandoorne also insisted that he does not know what his 2014 programme will consist of, emphasising that it is up to his manager, Richard Goddard.
"I'm not going into details but their job is to make the best offer for me and try and find a space into Formula 1. First of all I have to make good results on track and prove myself, getting better and better.”
"I don’t really gave an aim, I just want to be as much prepared as possible before Formula 1 as you have to prove yourself immediately and my goal is to stay a long time in Formula 1 and not just do one or two years and get chucked out as you can’t handle the pressure or are not fast enough."
Vandoorne has also made several visits to McLaren's Woking factory and has taken part in specifically organised technical briefings.
"I’m there weekly almost at the moment mainly for training and for technical meetings. If you come into Formula 1 there’s not much time to learn these things so the earlier you start the better prepared you are."
