Alonso feels that McLaren is "definitely moving forwards"

  • Published on 08 Jul 2017 18:28
  • comments 5
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Fernando Alonso fully believes that McLaren-Honda is moving forward after a somewhat positive Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session. Alonso will start the race from P12, which, taking into account the severity of struggles Honda has endured this season, is quite a fine result.

Honda brought a 'spec 3' engine to Austria after encouraging testing in Baku. However, after the first two practice sessions, an MGU-H problem was detected in Alonso's unit, forcing him to revert to the old 'spec 2' design. Nevertheless, the Spaniard is happy with his day.

"I feel we did the maximum today – I'm happy with our laps, our result and our performance in general this weekend," said Alonso. "We had an unexpected change of engine, and I reverted back to the old spec today, so finishing P12 and feeling competitive all through quali was positive news.

"The team is working very hard to improve our situation: we bring aero updates to every race, we bring new engine specs whenever we can, and we're definitely moving forwards. We still need to improve our reliability, but hopefully we'll see further signs in the next couple of weeks."

Rain on the cards for Sunday

The weather forecast tomorrow shows the potential for rain, which could certainly spice up the action. Alonso is one of many hoping for a downpour before the race which could aid his chances of climbing up the order.

"From 12th place, with a good start or a good strategy, we could be in a position to score points. There's some possible rain forecast for tomorrow – if that turns out to be correct, it'll probably open up more opportunities for us, so we need to be ready to take them."

 

Fergal Walsh

ianf1

Posts: 185

Actually, I'd cautiously agree with him from today's showing

  • 1
  • Jul 8 2017 - 21:24

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • ianf1

    Posts: 185

    Actually, I'd cautiously agree with him from today's showing

    • + 1
    • Jul 8 2017 - 21:24
  • Let it rain! Would be fun to see the really talented ones rise to the challenge.

    • + 0
    • Jul 9 2017 - 00:46
  • kngrthr

    Posts: 203

    sounds like he is trying to patch up the relationship a little.

    maybe he sees the good seats not being available next year

    • + 0
    • Jul 9 2017 - 01:29
    • Could be, but I doubt it. He is far too proud to go back on his words.

      • + 0
      • Jul 9 2017 - 09:31
    • HEINZ

      Posts: 61

      Boulier also sounded much more positive yesterday on the press conference, so it isn't just Alonso... I do believe they are saying this for a reason, no one changes opinion that fast. It's very strange indeed.

      • + 0
      • Jul 9 2017 - 10:20

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 518
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 147
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar