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Alonso: Good times are coming for McLaren

Published on 24 Feb 2018 11:34
7
By: Fergal Walsh

Fernando Alonso was left feeling optimistic following his first run in McLaren's new car, the MCL33. The Spaniard took the car out on-track as part of a filming day for the Woking squad. The filming took place after McLaren launched the striking new papaya and blue livery on Friday.

McLaren has not won a race since 2012, and have not set a foot on the podium since 2014. After three painful years with Honda, it decided last year to end the partnership with the Japanese manufacturer, and will instead be powered by Renault this year.

Alonso admits it felt fantastic to be back in the driver's seat of an F1 car: "It felt great. It’s always a special moment when you drive the car for the first time. Everything felt good," he told Sky Sports. "The car is running, we’re all happy.

When asked if he had a message for the eagerly awaiting McLaren fans, he said: "I think good times are coming. We kept the motivation very high, I think the team is stronger now than three years ago. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger."

In the three years that McLaren ran with Honda engines, it achieved a best finish of fifth place. After hoping 2017 would bring them more luck, the squad took several steps backwards and finished second to last in the championship.

But now it is time for them to return to the front, says Alonso: "It’s an important moment for McLaren. After a couple of years of not fighting for the championship, it’s time to come back to that position.

"Now in winter testing we need to make sure that we optimize this package but so far I‘m very happy and very optimistic, I think the team did an amazing job in the last couple of months," added the double-world champion.

Fergal Walsh

Barron

Posts: 625

Well, I hope he’s right but there’s not much you can tell from a day at near zero temperatures. Yesterday he was ‘apprehensive’. I wish we wouldn’t get into these negative vibes (looks, paintjob, PU etc) before the season has even started. Plenty of time for that..

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Feb 24 2018 - 11:51

F1 News Fernando Alonso McLaren Renault Honda

Replies (7)

Barron

Posts: 625
Well, I hope he’s right but there’s not much you can tell from a day at near zero temperatures. Yesterday he was ‘apprehensive’. I wish we wouldn’t get into these negative vibes (looks, paintjob, PU etc) before the season has even started. Plenty of time for that..
- + 1
- Feb 24 2018 - 11:51
kngrthr

Posts: 203
they should test in Australia or Africa. somewhere witha sensible climate.

i know the air freight delays would be a problem but at the least the data would be relevant
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- Feb 24 2018 - 13:19
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Either Alonso is on to something, or he has just given up on McLaren, and has decided to join in on digging their grave deeper, hyping it up to the skies so that they fall all the harder.
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- Feb 24 2018 - 14:25
- xoya
  
  Posts: 583
  My thoughts exactly, though I am inclined to beleive in the latter.
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  Feb 24 2018 - 15:19
- Rindtchamp
  
  Posts: 304
  McLaren will win a race this year ..mark my words..
  + 1
  
  Feb 24 2018 - 15:21
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  @XOYA yeah, I think the latter is more likely, but at this rate either one works for me. Im pretty worn out by McLaren's constant hype mongering.
  
  @RINDTCHAMP I will, and while I sort of hope for the same thing, can I spoonfeed you those words if it doesnt happen? :P
  + 0
  
  Feb 24 2018 - 15:39
RogerF1

Posts: 501
You’d have to think if McLaren threaten for wins/podiums then so would the other Renault runners, especially RB and they couldn’t manage it consistently last year, Max having the best of it. So if McLaren get into the mix at the top then Merc and Ferrari are going to have theirs hands full. A closer run of it last season from RB would have been a good indicator. Maybe Renault will hit a sweet spot finally on engine power? Here’s hoping.
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- Feb 24 2018 - 16:21