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'Next champions after Mercedes will be McLaren'

Published on 24 May 2016 12:49
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By: Rob Veenstra

McLaren-Honda appears to be finally emerging from its long slump, with bosses Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier sounding particularly upbeat ahead of Monaco. Dennis, the Woking team's supremo, told the BBC: "I honestly believe that the next world champions after Mercedes will be McLaren. We'll get to that goal before other people."

Also optimistic are Fernando Alonso and team boss Eric Boullier, who think the MP4-31 is among the very best chassis on the 2016 grid. That bodes well for twisty and slow Monaco, where the limitations of the Honda engine will have less impact. "On paper, we could be between sixth and eighth place I think," Frenchman Boullier is quoted by Italy's Autosprint.

"Last year we had the third best chassis, but close to Williams and Ferrari," he explained. "Now it is Mercedes, Red Bull, us, and then Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Williams. They are clearly behind today," said Boullier.

As for Honda, the Japanese marque is planning improvements within the 2016 season but then a total redesign for 2017, coinciding with the sweeping new chassis rules. "The 2017 regulations level the playing field and it is enough time for us to catch up with Honda, so I think we'll have a good chance next year," said Dennis. (GMM)

F1 News Fernando Alonso Mercedes Williams McLaren Ferrari Honda

Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Williams did not have one of the best chassis last year, this is something they themselves stated. In terms of chassis, I think last year's order was Red Bull/Toro Rosso ->Ferrari/Mercedes?->McLaren. So more like the 5th best last year, not much to brag about really. This year's order do seem much closer, no idea where Toro Rosso's chassis would get in this year but Im sure its still in the mix.

While it does look good this year and does sound promising for the next year, I doubt they'll grab the title, it just doesnt sound reasonable. I love McLaren, I love Honda, but I dont think they'll be able to challenge for P1.
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- May 24 2016 - 14:33
Vet5

Posts: 225
If they can get the engine to perform up to the Mercedes level then yes they will dominate next year seeing as the 2017 design was McLarens idea, knowing them they will already have a chassis created for next year, like Mercedes did with the Hybrid when they introduced it in 2010 to the FIA/FOM. But they need to remember that RBR pretty much dominate when it comes to the aero department, McLaren were good back in the day due to 2 main names, John Barnard & Adrian Newey, one of which is retired and Newey is at RBR/Aston Martin.
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- May 24 2016 - 15:16
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Uh yeah and I'll win the lottery next year because I said so.
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- May 24 2016 - 16:15
khasmir

Posts: 893
There goes Ron again...
If you make enough crazy predictions then at some point you will get one right.
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- May 24 2016 - 18:43
Jutlandia

Posts: 191
More hot air is coming from Circus McLada
Can not decide whether to laugh of cry.
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- May 24 2016 - 20:22