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'McLaren ready to win, but Honda may not be'

Published on 16 Feb 2017 09:54
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By: Rob Veenstra

McLaren has denied that the secret about its new, predominantly orange livery for 2017 is already out. Team boss Eric Boullier has confirmed that the Honda-powered team will change colour, but a spokesperson denied that images circulating on the internet are "leaked".

"We've seen these fake MCL32 pics," the team said on Twitter. "It's not our car. You'll have to wait a bit longer for the real thing."

It has been a busy winter for McLaren, with long-time supremo Ron Dennis leaving and new chief Zak Brown having alarmingly declared the team will not win a race in 2017. "Do not pay attention to everything that is published," team boss Eric Boullier told the Spanish daily Marca.

As for rumours McLaren is preparing a technical "surprise" with its 2017 car, the Frenchman added: "There are no surprises, just a great job done by the whole team. Stop talking about rumours." Boullier admitted, however, that Brown's comments may not have been wide of the mark.

"McLaren is ready to win, but Honda may not be," he is quoted as saying. "We have already started the engine, Fernando Alonso will be in the car from day one and expectations are always high," Boullier added. (GMM)

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— RealtimeUK (@RealtimeUK) February 15, 2017

Kevin

Posts: 5,332

I have higher expectations from Honda than from McLaren to be honest. Brown and Boullier don't seem to be the most competent people for the job, and honestly, McLaren hasn't produced a good car since 2012. Honda, however, made massive gains during the past 2 years, while being restricted massivel... [Read more]

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Feb 16 2017 - 13:40

F1 News Fernando Alonso McLaren

Replies (6)

Kevin

Posts: 5,332
I have higher expectations from Honda than from McLaren to be honest. Brown and Boullier don't seem to be the most competent people for the job, and honestly, McLaren hasn't produced a good car since 2012. Honda, however, made massive gains during the past 2 years, while being restricted massively by the token system. I'd much more prefer Honda to pull the plug out of the engine partnership and just start an own team again.
- + 1
- Feb 16 2017 - 13:40
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I agree, I think Honda has what it takes, if they manage to do the right choices, but can we say the same about McLaren? Also, think its a bit rude of Boullier to just lump it all on their supposed partner like that.
  + 0
  
  Feb 16 2017 - 14:24
- ianf1
  
  Posts: 185
  This smacks of Horner / Marko bleating about Renault a couple of seasons back. The engine manufacturers are easy prey, and it deflects attention from the chassis.
  + 0
  
  Feb 16 2017 - 14:36
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, its very similar.
  + 0
  
  Feb 16 2017 - 15:01
RS200

Posts: 26
You're delusional if you think Honda done a better job on the engine than McLaren did on the chassis. The engine was terrible whereas the car wasn't actually too bad. Also the chassis could never get to its full potential as the engine was underpowered and probably not as refined as is should have been. The worst power unit for 2 years in a row, yes there are reasons behind that but untimitely it has a Honda badge on it.

Look up facts people, don't rely on articles like this, full of speculation and what barely passes as a rumour.
- + 0
- Feb 16 2017 - 18:33
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  What we are mostly talking about here is progress: the progress Honda made between 2015 and 2016 was pretty huge. While McLaren progressed very little on the chassis side. Honda had gone from having the hands down worst PU to having a reliable engine and one of the best ERS systems on the grid.
  
  Furthermore, while the McLaren chassis in 2016 was ok, it was nothing special. 2016's GP at Suzuka, and McLaren's verdict post-race regarding the results, was evidence enough for me. Had it been of Red Bull quality we'd no doubt seen a much more competitive McLaren last year.
  + 1
  
  Feb 16 2017 - 19:11