Vandoorne to test McLaren Honda in Abu Dhabi next week

(McLaren Mercedes)

The McLaren Formula One team have confirmed that young driver Stoffel Vandoorne will drive on both days of next week's end of season season test at the Yas Marina circuit as the Woking based outfit continue to evaluate the new Honda power unit.

It will Vandoorne's first taste of the new Honda power unit as during the initial systems check in Silverstone last week it was Oliver Turvey who ran the MP4-29H 1X1.

McLaren Chairman has revealed that Vandoorne is being looked at for a possible race seat with McLaren Honda next season who took victory in the Abu Dhabi GP2 race on Saturday where he also claimed pole position.

However McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier has stated that Vandoorne would be better suited to another year in GP2 in order to have another chance at winning the championship.

When the Frenchman was asked why neither Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen would be in the car to get a feel for the new power unit if either of the them are retained for next season Boullier said that two day test would be tough to find the right time to slot the Belgian driver into Formula One and he doesn't think it will happen next season.

© Ben Johnston 2014