Fernando Alonso admitted McLaren’s start to testing was “definitely not perfect” after problems relating to his power unit limited him to just 29 laps on day one.
McLaren have to “concentrate and try to recover the time” said Alonso. “We are disappointed, sad to arrive to the first day and not be able to run.”
“We have four days for each driver before the world championship starts. Now one day is gone. So I have three days to prepare our world championship. It’s not an ideal situation but it is the way it is, there is nothing more we can do from today than learn from whatever happened to the car and try to recover time the next days.”
“I think the time is very important this year with the new regulations, the new tyres. Many information that we need to get in a very short period of time: three days in my case now.”
“Not only on the technical side, also the driving side, you need to find your limits, your driving style that suits this car and these tyres. You need to familiarise with the steering wheel, the starting procedures, the pit stop. Many things that are different this year because of the tyres, because of the size of the car. Obviously one day is gone for me.”
“Let’s say that this is not a problem, I am lucky enough to have good experience and find the limits very quickly – has been the same all my life that I adapt to the cars quicker than anyone else and I will do it for this year.”
Alonso acknowledged the team’s latest problems were especially unfortunate following two difficult seasons with engine supplier Honda. He told the media in Spain it was “a nice temptation for you guys to maximise today’s problems because it’s quite interesting from the media point of view after two difficult seasons we arrive to the winter testing and we don’t run the first day, unfortunately.”
2017 F1 season
- Stripping Verstappen of 2017 US podium was “one of the toughest decisions” – steward
- Sepang pays Haas compensation for Grosjean’s 2017 crash
- Williams revenues rose in 2017 after Bottas deal with Mercedes
- New kerbs at COTA in response to Verstappen’s corner-cutting
- Australian Grand Prix cost government £56 million last year
AntoineDeParis (@antoine-de-paris)
27th February 2017, 17:46
“…I adapt to the cars quicker than anyone else and I will do it for this year.”
man, this guy won’t stop, smh
HUHHII (@huhhii)
27th February 2017, 18:31
Just Alonso being his normal self. Now when McLaren turned out to be another dog of a car I wish Alonso would do what he told and make that jump to WEC. Wouldn’t miss him at all.
Rick (@)
27th February 2017, 18:48
Finally some confidence coming from him, last two years were just pessimistic comments about how bad the engine and car were.
Bultaco85
28th February 2017, 13:06
I think you shuld start reading the Spanish press, he´s been saying thet he is very happy, that McLatas are the only ones that can beat the Mercs, that Ferrari is this and that, etc…
He´s been saying stuff for 2 years now.
WheelToWheel (@lolzerbob)
27th February 2017, 18:50
I agree. And if people call Hamilton arrogant then just look at Alonso..
John H (@john-h)
27th February 2017, 20:02
The man has a museum devoted to himself and he hasn’t even finished yet. I think that says quite a lot!
dubsix (@dubsix)
27th February 2017, 20:48
So did DC and I wouldn’t call him arrogant.
Bultaco85
28th February 2017, 13:04
Yeah, he has a museum built by himself….big thing.
Cris
27th February 2017, 23:21
If Alonso is your benchmark then Lewis will be out of this world arrogant… Mr. “After first day I’ll know where I’m weak” B.S. and “No data sharing” my ass…
Tim M (@tim-m)
27th February 2017, 19:03
Is he wrong, though? Like him or not, he has shown that he’s quick to adapt to change.
sward (@)
27th February 2017, 19:21
@antoine-de-paris So if he had a total meltdown and folded the tent what would you have said? He sounded relatively calm in my opinion.
Fudge Kobayashi (@)
27th February 2017, 20:31
Boo boo, a driver talking big and backing it up on the track as well when given the chance! I don’t get why people get so upset when drivers actually come out with fighting talk and belief in their own ability rather than cookie cutter ‘for sure’ interviews and corporate shpiel!
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
27th February 2017, 20:50
@antoine-de-paris I don’t think it differs from reality too much. The guy adapts quickly, he’s shown that plenty of times.
Bultaco85
28th February 2017, 13:07
Yeah, like in 2015……..
BigJoe
27th February 2017, 20:51
Here’s some news for you strange folk.. These drivers pay good money to mental coaches to install this type of attitude into them.
It seems quite a few internet posters who take driver comments to heart could do with some coaching or perhaps even therapy :)
SM
27th February 2017, 22:39
And he also said that he was lucky he had that skill implying thankfulness
Mashiat (@mashiat)
28th February 2017, 2:41
@antoine-de-paris When Zlatan says the same thing, everyone’s having a laugh (in a positive way). F1 fans are far too sensitive.
Oli (@dh1996)
28th February 2017, 6:52
The only driver on the whole grid who actually adapts to cars, the only guy where you never hear those “the car just wasn’t to his liking” excuses and you call this arrogant.
SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
28th February 2017, 7:18
There is a difference between being arrogant and to know oneself.
MB (@muralibhats)
27th February 2017, 18:10
McLaren have good experience in this from last two years. Feel confident😊
Fletch (@fletchuk)
27th February 2017, 18:16
and the cycle continues :(
Todfod (@todfod)
27th February 2017, 18:35
So much for Mclaren Honda being ‘respectable’ this season.
Uzair Syed (@ultimateuzair)
27th February 2017, 18:39
As a McLaren fan, all I can do now is laugh. What a joke team. 2012 feels such a long time ago now.
Rick (@)
27th February 2017, 18:55
I’m still at the point I feel pity for them. But come on: after two years finally getting to grips with the power and reliability of the Honda engine and it’s unique layout, someone somehow thought it was a good idea to throw away the whole engine and start anew… by copying Mercedes.
If that’s true, McLaren seriously need to consider leaving Honda at the end of this year, especially when they’re again unreliable and underpowered.
Gerrit
27th February 2017, 22:00
And go where for an engine supplier? In house?
Felix
28th February 2017, 4:02
They do make nice engines for their road cars. I get that it’s a completely different thing, but still…
Or apparently BMW is slowly turning into an option.
Hope Honda get it together this year.
David Browne (@dvb78)
28th February 2017, 12:09
agree with Rick, why throw away 2 years of development on a new concept? Honda have taken a step back, rather than forwards.
They will be towards the back of the grid now!
At least last year, the engine was better, and more reliable, so they should have concentrated on improving reliability further and maybe trying to extract an extra 75-100hp!
Todfod (@todfod)
28th February 2017, 5:42
I mentioned the exact same point. Taking 2 years to find out that your entire PU design is flawed just shows the level of incompetence at Honda.
After 2 years, they decide to do a shoddy job of copying Mercedes’ layout, and they claim to have Mercedes’ 2016 level of PU performance?!? Yeah right!
I think Mclaren need to cut their losses and start looking out for another engine partner. Working with Honda is getting them nowhere. I can bet all my money on the fact that Mclaren will never win a race with Honda power ever again.
Wesley (@)
27th February 2017, 19:18
The McLaren looks even worse on track than in the studio pictures. How did they manage to cock up that livery so badly?
Strontium (@strontium)
27th February 2017, 20:11
+1
tim
27th February 2017, 20:48
Disagree. I think it looks the most simply aggressive car out there. Far less add on crap, just a single form of aerodynamic philosophy. I think it’s the sleeper of the field. Honda will come good. They’d rather die than not.
Wesley (@)
27th February 2017, 21:19
As I said, I was referring to the livery. I actually like the simple aggressive aero design too. I wish nothing but the best for them as they are one of my favorite teams.
Harrisf1 (@harrisf1)
27th February 2017, 19:47
Less than 20 days into their new partnership with Castrol… awkward turtle
DaveW (@dmw)
27th February 2017, 20:04
Hate to say it, as a McLaren fan for 25 years, but that paint scheme, with no title sponsor, looks like a backmarker team. Looks budget. Like it was done with a roll of tape. At least painting the model kit will be a snap for the kids.
BigJoe
27th February 2017, 21:05
Funnily enough an ad for a Chinese model plane appeared in my browser right next to the article on the McLaren launch, it has a very similar paint scheme. :)
http://img.banggood.com/thumb/water/upload/2015/04/SKU220227_16.jpg
AceAce
27th February 2017, 21:31
I don’t understand how a big, big team like like McLaren can barely scrape in sponsors, smh. Go to Ferrari’s recent uploads regarding the sf70h, the videos end with a whopping 26 sponsors. I know Ferrari have a prestige about them, but it isn’t like they’ve been lighting up F1 in last ten years.
SM
27th February 2017, 22:42
Red bull didn’t have a much better day. I don’t see anyone saying they should leave Renault or that they are screwed. I don’t see anyone getting so emotional about that. It’s the first day of testing guys. If this form continues I’d be worried. But not yet
Danny
27th February 2017, 23:28
I wish I had your thought process.
Yea it’s the first day, but Honda admitted a few days ago changing engine concepts is risky. I think they know more than they are letting on.
If they have more bad days and get little data, good luck trying to catch up with any other team other than Sauber.
Not that it matters, but I’ve defended Honda for the last 2 years in spite of their endless excuses and rose colored glasses attitude. Not any more!
If they screw up the pre-season again, my hope is Alonso walks. I simply cannot stand to witness another year like 2015.
bigwilk (@bigwilk)
28th February 2017, 7:23
Yeah but Renault engines did over 150 laps today so plenty of data to push forward the engine development. Honda have one car with little running and nothing to compare it to
Dickie (@aitudrahcir)
27th February 2017, 23:05
It’s day one, SM said it, RB didn’t have it made today either and the Mclarens engine was in sade mode for some of the laps.
Andy (@andybantam)
27th February 2017, 23:33
McLaren should have gone all out orange and had done with It.
Todfod (@todfod)
28th February 2017, 4:17
I can’t believe that people are still suggesting new liveries. Does a completely orange car running in 19th and 20th position really help your cause?
Abhi
28th February 2017, 2:55
Honda is busy in manufacturing scooters in india rather than to bring technology to the people here they interested only in profits. Better honda fit that scooter engine in that mclaren and well problem solved more reliable and fuel efficient engine with no breakdown problems 🤣😜
bukester (@bukester)
28th February 2017, 7:32
As Kimi would say “Bwoaah”
Dan Rooke (@geekzilla9000)
28th February 2017, 14:15
There’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence – most of the top level drivers are full of themselves, it’s all part of the championship make-up (for a lot of them). I’m a huge Lewis Hamilton fan, love him on the track – but we’d never make for “drink and a cinema trip” buddies!