Alonso says no instant end to McLaren-Honda woe but warns opening GPs "not a charity match"; Also side-steps 'split' rumours
Thursday 23 March 2017 06:58, UK
Fernando Alonso has admitted McLaren-Honda cannot expect any "miracles" at the Australian GP - but insists writing off the opening flyaway races is not an option.
For the second time in three years, McLaren and their Japanese engine providers head into the Melbourne season-opener on the back of a dismal pre-season in which they completed the fewest miles in winter testing.
The redesigned Honda engine has been beset by reliability problems, believed to be in part caused by unexpected vibrations, and the latest signs of tension between the two parties has been followed by media reports McLaren are already exploring alternative engine options.
Alonso, who said the Honda unit was delivering "no power" and "no reliability" at testing, is hopeful the situation will have improved since Barcelona to the point where they can at least start to push for more competitive lap times in the MCL32.
"I'm sure the team worked very hard in the last couple of weeks to improve the situation and arrive a little bit more ready to compete here," Alonso told Sky Sports F1.
"But in Formula 1 there are no miracles in two weeks so I expect a difficult weekend.
"So we have to have the feet on the ground knowing we have some problems to solve. But, at the same time, this is racing, it's not testing anymore, and anything can happen here.
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"There are retirements that can happen so we need to enter the weekend with the mind of having some knowledge and some positive things from this weekend. Hopefully pushing a little bit more and finding the limits because in winter testing we were not able to push at any time."
Underlining the state of their preparations, McLaren chief Eric Boullier said earlier this week that they "won't make any promises or predictions" about their likely form this weekend, although Honda confirmed they have been able to make progress with engine mapping and other areas since the end of testing.
But asked if the troubles were such that the team had to already effectively write off their prospects in the season's opening four long-haul rounds, Alonso insisted: "I'm not writing off anything. We are not here to wait for four races, six races, eight races to improve, we need to improve for tomorrow.
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"And if tomorrow is not going ok we need to improve for Saturday. And if Saturday we don't qualify in a good position we need to improve for Sunday.
"This is Formula 1, it's not a charity match where we can have fun here and there. This is Formula 1, we have to compete, we have to beat our opponents, and we need to be the best. This is what it's about."
McLaren have not commented on reports they have already sounded out former suppliers Mercedes about a future engine supply, although the team did say last week they were "considering options" with Honda.
Alonso side-stepped the rumours when asked by Sky F1.
"That's a question for the team," he said. "Obviously, I know and I'm aware about some speculation and some things that went out [in the press], but I will not enter [the discussion] too much. I will just drive at my best and hopefully the team can answer that question tomorrow."
Asked if a switch to a more competitive engine would make him more likely to stay beyond the end of his current contract, which expires in December, Alonso simply replied: "I don't know."
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