Alonso says McLaren-Honda has found 'right direction'

Fernando Alonso says "the crisis is over" at McLaren-Honda. That is despite the team's Austrian grand prix appearing to be an unmitigated disaster, and right in front of the Honda Motor Co.'s new president, Takahiro Hachigo.

The draconian extent of the engine grid penalties incurred by Alonso and Jenson Button was ridiculed in the international media, before Button sputtered into retirement and Alonso crashed on the opening lap. And Spanish media reports say Alonso's misery will now run into Silverstone, as the 44G impact with Kimi Raikkonen and the trackside barrier damaged his brand new Honda engine that now must be replaced yet again.

Alonso told Spanish reporters that, approaching the mid-point of the season, the pressure on McLaren-Honda is now high. "Expectations are always high for a team like ours, and with a collaboration like McLaren and Honda," he said, "but everything can be solved through teamwork."

Alonso is staying at the Red Bull Ring this week, where he says he can continue to test the new bodywork package, despite destroying the 'short nose' on Sunday. "We have spares," he revealed. "The path we have taken is good, I know what's coming and I know that things are going to change quickly now. I do not know if it will take two, six or eight races, but no more than that," Alonso added.

"The crisis is over. We have found the right direction with several areas of the car that we have now put in place, and although from the outside it looks negative, there is not much longer until we can begin to have fun," he said. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 628
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 194
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar