Vandoorne tipped for fine debut

Kevin Magnussen has predicted his old McLaren junior partner Stoffel Vandoorne will impress on his F1 debut this weekend.

Vandoorne will replace Fernando Alonso in Bahrain, after the Spaniard was ruled out on medical grounds following his high-speed crash in Australia.

Vandoorne will race alongside Jenson Button, and Magnussen expects him to prove a point this weekend.

"He is good enough to be in Formula 1 so he will have a good race I'm sure," Magnussen said on Thursday in Bahrain.

"I know he deserves to be here so I'm happy to see he got a shot.

"It's a massive opportunity for anyone to get a chance in Formula 1, it's really really big.

"Not many people get a chance, so I hope he can enjoy it."

Vandoorne will drive alongside Button, as McLaren search for their first points of the season after a disappointing start in Melbourne.

Related topics