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McLaren claim to have "one of the best cars" in the field

Published on 06 Jun 2017 11:30
11
By: Fergal Walsh

McLaren claims that they have one of the very best cars in the field, and are simply being let down by power supplier Honda. Honda has been struggling with speed and reliability since its return to the sport in 2015. This season was predicted to be a major leap forward, however, that expectancy has backfired massively.

The chassis of the McLaren has shown promise, as Fernando Alonso pulled the MCL32 onto P7 in qualifying at Barcelona, while both cars got into the final qualifying session last time out in Monaco. Despite these Q3 appearances, the team is yet to score points: "We now have one of the best cars in the field," confirmed technical boss Matt Morris. "We had some problems last year but now we have a really good platform on which to build."

One unnamed team member said: "We now have a car that could be on the podium with a proper engine." Racing director Eric Boulier says that they will continue to improve the car in preparation for a solid engine: "We will continue to develop our car to the maximum possible so that we're ready for the day when the engine is working."

Yusuke Hasegawa, Honda's chief in Formula 1 confirmed that the main problem is vibration: "The main problem is vibration. We are doing everything to bring an improved version to the race track as soon as possible, but I cannot promise when."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda

Replies (11)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
Then ditch Honda. Forget about all the PR stuff, because at this stage the damage is already done. If Honda is three years behind, then they will continue to be so until 2021. Even a Renault engine should throw them up to at least the Red Bulls. Unbelievable
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- Jun 6 2017 - 11:35
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Problem is, they are low on funds, and Honda is their major sponsor at the moment. Ditch Honda, and they'll ditch their funds AND they will likely have to pay their way out of the contract.
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  Jun 6 2017 - 14:17
boudy

Posts: 1,168
The issue is that when the link up with Honda was done it was done with the believe that only a direct linkup with factory supplier could bring a Championship. I happen to think that they are correct considering the plight of RedBull. Ferrari and Merc aren't willing to only be the supplying team and Renault factory seems to be improving all the time. Factory suppliers seem to always hold back on some latest tweeks for their customers.

If the regulations around powerunits stay the same eventually there will not be that much difference between these PU's. However mcLaren and Honda simply can't afford another year like this. The Sauber linkup might help next year;but I can see mcLaren moving to Merc again next year.

Will Honda only be supplying the Sauber team?
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- Jun 6 2017 - 12:02
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  If Honda are ditched by McLaren, they will still be guaranteed an engine under the new rules. and like i said the Renault engine would do against the Honda one
  + 0
  
  Jun 6 2017 - 12:44
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  True, but you still lose the funds from Honda AND you will likely have to pay to end the deal prematurely.
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  Jun 6 2017 - 17:57
F1todayfan101

Posts: 120
Show us this on the track. Don't talk about it in the media, no one believes you anymore. A car includes the engine, if your engine is rubbish then your car is rubbish.....
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- Jun 6 2017 - 12:14
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
The car itself looks very good, the problem now is power..
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- Jun 6 2017 - 14:16
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
I think it's pretty clear to most people that it is a very good chassis. It's incredible the extent to which they have been handicapped by the Honda PU. It does give me hope, however, that if/when they sort out the engine problem they will have a rather competitive car.
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- Jun 6 2017 - 22:27
kngrthr

Posts: 203
the contract is bound to contain a performance clause.

they could exit on the failure to perform by the engine.
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- Jun 7 2017 - 05:53
ruestchiva

Posts: 20
Its incredible how a company as big as Honda cannot solve this problem. I know it is really hard. But they should've switch their way of building this engine 2 years ago... Its clear it doesn't work. How come the other 3 manufactures have done huge progress??
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- Jun 7 2017 - 18:50
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  It is pretty odd.
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  Jun 7 2017 - 22:47