Honda engine rebuild two months away - Hasegawa

The problems faced by the McLaren-Honda F1 team have been well documented over both pre-season testing and in the lead up to the Australian Grand Prix. The team's woes were clear to see in Melbourne as Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne struggled to 13th and 18th places respectively.

Stating the obvious to Spanish newspapers El Mundo and El Pais, Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa was quoted as saying "The difference in power with our rivals is big,"

The Japanese manufacturer are working on a rebuild of the Honda engine, but Hasegawa reiterated that it would take time before the team would see on-track results.

"To improve we have to achieve more efficient combustion and change the hardware of the current power unit," he added.

"We are working on it, but we will not be able to put it in the car for two months."

Double world champion Alonso has cut an exasperated figure since testing, and he has often criticised Honda in an attempt to shock them into delivering performance.

"The change of regulation is a golden opportunity to catch Mercedes, so we needed to be much better," he said in Melbourne.

"If last year we were fighting for Q3, this year anything but the top 5 or 6 is no reaction," Alonso added.

"Personally I am well prepared and I feel that I am very fast. I attack the corners but I lose 200 metres in a straight line which is very frustrating."