MONZA, Italy -- Stoffel Vandoorne says he will have "big shoes to fill" when he replaces Jenson Button at McLaren in 2017.
On Saturday, McLaren announced reigning GP2 champion Vandoorne will replace Button next year, ending months of speculation. Button will remain at the team in a reserve role with an option for a return to racing in 2018, something McLaren's press release called an "innovative three-driver strategy".
Vandoorne is the existing reserve driver and stepped in for Fernando Alonso in Bahrain earlier this year, finishing ninth in an impressive debut drive. The highly-rated Belgian paid tribute to Button at the announcement and said the 2009 champion will be a hard act to follow.
"First of all a little mention to Jenson," Vandoorne said. "Jenson is a great inspiration to any racing driver and he's been a very big part of this team, and very happy to see him continue with us. We know his experience will be incredibly valuable to us and I hope we will have a very successful time together.
"Moving to myself, it's something I've been dreaming about since I was a kid. Getting to Formula One is something very special. Signing your first Formula One contract is... I don't have the words to describe. I've been with McLaren-Honda for a long while now and really pushing hard to get into Formula One.
"Really looking forward to the challenge and really want to thank Ron for all the belief and the trust to put me in the car next year. Really looking forward to a successful partnership."
Vandoorne feels he has learned a great deal from watching the two former world champions from the sidelines.
"It's big shoes to fill and I know stepping into Jenson's seat is not going to be easy for a young driver. But I'm totally up for a challenge, both are world champions - I've been in a reserve driver position this year where I've been following them on track from a very different position.
"I've been learning a lot from how they push the team forward, how they've helped with the development and with the three of us together I think we can be very successful."