McLaren Honda driver Stoffel Vandoorne was nexty on the hit list when it came to the media and of course he was questioned about all the difficulties the team are having with their Honda power units.

The Belgian driver also explained that just like his teammate, Fernando Alonso, he too will be hit with a penalty here in Baku this weekend, meaning that both McLaren's will be starting at the back of the grid…

However, when he was asked his opinion on what direction the Woking based squad should go in regard to engine power for 2018, Stoffel refused to be drawn into any speculation…

This is your first time in Baku. Can you give us some insight into how you prepare for a track you've never races at? Is it more time on the simulator? Has Fernando given you any tips?
Definitely spend some time in the simulator, like I do before every grand prix. A lot of laps in there. At least our simulator is reliable, so I managed to do a fair amount of laps there! And then also last year; I watched a lot of the races that happened here, GP2, Formula One as well. Some stuff on onboard videos. That's about everything I did.

Is Fernando generous with his advice?
So far I've not had a chance to chat to him, but I'm sure I will do over the weekend.

You were quiet outspoken about the car's performance in Canada -- fuel saving, you referred to being ‘a sitting duck' on the straights. Given the nature of this track layout, what are your expectations coming into this weekend?
It is a street circuit as well, but like Kimi said it's very different to a circuit like Monaco -- here we reach very very high top speeds, I think similar to Canada. I don't think we have high hopes, but we'll try our best from our side. We have some penalties already to start the weekend, which isn't ideal, but it's the situation we're in, so we'll try our best, focus maybe a bit more on race runs, and hopefully we can play a bit during the race.

Just to be clear on that, we knew about Fernando's penalty coming into this weekend. Have you had penalties as well?
Yeah, I will have a penalty as well. We're probably competing to start at the back of the grid.

We've heard your management, senior management, teammate be very outspoken about the relationship with Honda just now. Perhaps it was the first time in Canada we heard you reiterating the woes. It's obviously making your first full season in the sport very difficult. Which direction would you like to see McLaren take with any future engine partner?
To be honest, it's not up to me to take such a decision. Yes, it's been a difficult start to the season; it's definitely not an ideal situation for everyone. We'd like to be fighting much higher up the grid, but as McLaren we're trying to put McLaren's interest at the top, and that's what's the most important for us now. We need to fight back, and I'm pretty sure the team is moving in the right direction. Hopefully at some point we will be competitive again, and hopefully that is sooner rather than later.

You mentioned you're going to have to carry some engine penalties this weekend. Are the engine bits that are going to be on the car this weekend going to give you any more performance or reliability from the bits that will be on there?
Difficult to say, to be honest. I think it's probably more a question for Honda. I don't think there's many new introductions this weekend, so I don't think it will be too different.