Boullier "surprised" by early gremlins

McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier has admitted that the problems that the team have encountered on day one of testing have come as surprise to him.

Alonso debuted the MCL32 today but progress was halted after an installation lap when it emerged that the car had an oil system issue. The Spaniard was caged in the garage until an engine change was complete and he was sent on his way.

Boullier finds it strange however, as during a filming day yesterday there was no real issues with the car.

"We have an oil system problem, and that's all that we know now; Honda are investigating what is going on and I guess they will tell us what happened," he said.

"It's disappointing because yesterday we had a filming day, we did 100km, and more or less everything went right, so this morning it came as a little bit of a surprise to have a problem.

"It was a filming day, so we can't do anything much with the car. What I can tell you is what the drivers reported, which is that there is definitely more downforce, definitely more grip, but Honda's engine was running in a safe mode, so there wasn't much to compare. We could see a difference in high speed corners, for example, that the car was much faster, but you can't investigate much."

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • I hope they're not consistent problems

    • + 0
    • Feb 27 2017 - 17:36
  • cuddycabin

    Posts: 5

    McLaren season is starting as it ended.......

    • + 0
    • Feb 27 2017 - 18:59
  • Surprised? At this time of the year? I'd think not. Its pretty much expected. My only concern is whether this is just early grinding and integration issues or if this is something more serious.

    • + 0
    • Feb 27 2017 - 19:01
  • Harryw

    Posts: 107

    Sigh ... :-(

    • + 0
    • Feb 27 2017 - 20:40

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar