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Honda detected no problems with Alonso's engine

Published on 28 Aug 2017 12:47
16
By: Fergal Walsh

Yusuke Hasegawa has confirmed that Honda did not detect a problem with Alonso's engine during the Belgian Grand Prix. Alonso stated over the radio that there was an issue with his engine, causing the team to tell him to come into the pits to retire.

Alonso has made no secret of the fact that he's deeply unhappy with the McLaren-Honda partnership, and has reportedly informed the Woking squad that he will only sign an extension if Honda is dropped. After the Belgian Grand Prix, Hasegawa admitted there was no problem with the engine.

"We thought we had the possibility of scoring some points here in Belgium today, so it was disappointing that we finished the race outside of the top 10," Hasegawa said. "After starting brilliantly, Fernando then had a tough race overall. He radioed in with what he thought was a problem with the car. Although there was nothing showing in the data, we decided to stop the car as a precaution."

It is therefore likely that Alonso retired out of sheer embarrassment and couldn't stand to be passed so easily on the straight. Alonso stated that he hopes results soon follow after an incredibly tough afternoon at Spa-Francorchamps.

"For sure, is not easy to race like this, as you cannot have any good wheel-to-wheel battles," he said. "It was a difficult afternoon and we were not competitive in race trim. The car was too slow on the straights and it was impossible to have any battles out there, so points were also impossible today.

"Eventually, we had to stop due to an engine issue. The situation is what it is and we need to improve it as soon as we can. I know the team is working day and night improving the car, and we hope we can see the results soon."

Fergal Walsh

xoya

Posts: 583

Looked like he retired a healthy car, straight away.
I am huge fan of his skill, not so much of his attitude and character though.

2
Aug 28 2017 - 16:01

F1 News Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda

Replies (16)

Barron

Posts: 625
He's a bit of a fibber isn't he?
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- Aug 28 2017 - 14:04
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
Thats sad to be honest. Seems he's losing motivation
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- Aug 28 2017 - 14:13
Kevin

Posts: 5,301
That's absolutely not done. McLaren should ditch Alonso at the end of the season and try to get Sainz. If they can't get him, take a gamble and give Lando the seat. But a driver who pretends the car is broken because it hasn't got the pace, should actually be fired straight away. He receives freakin 50 mln to drive that car. Do your job and stop complaining.
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- Aug 28 2017 - 14:39
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  @Kevin that was also my reaction. I smelled a smelly smell the moment he called engine failure without us hearing any calls for him to box, coupled with the lack of pace decrease. A bit childish, but then again I think most drivers would've done the same.
  
  Button do technically have a contract in place. If 'nando leaves, and JB want to return, I think Button will be prioritized.
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  Aug 28 2017 - 14:50
- HEINZ
  
  Posts: 61
  U think Sainz would want to drive that Mclaren????? xD
  Only rookies that wouldn't have any other choice... It is just too sad that Mclaren has no alternative to Honda right now. Might be better to just retire from F1 until 2020 :(
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  Aug 28 2017 - 14:52
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I honestly think Sainz will go anywhere if Red Bull fail to provide him with a top seat. TR will always have less focus than RB, so close to anything is better than TR.
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  Aug 28 2017 - 16:22
- Kevin
  
  Posts: 5,301
  @Calle I have no problem with McLaren letting Fernando go immediately and getting Jenson in the car. But for next season, I'd prefer new blood and Sainz is the best driver available after Alonso imo. Next year, McLaren can be up there. I am confident Honda is on the right track and will close the gap to Renault this season. Question mark is, can they close the gap to Ferrari during the winter? I'm not sure, but if Honda does, McLaren can fight for prizes. No way McLaren should listen to Alonso on ditching Honda and going for Renault. The Japanese are their best bet, and if he doesn't want to go on that ride, I'm sure there are other drivers who will. The team won't be struggling forever.
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  Aug 28 2017 - 20:02
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I sort of agree, and I think Sainz could make the move, if he were free to do so. But Im not sure that'll happen, not if Marko can help it. He need him as a reserve, should Ric or Ves leave. No, I dont think Sainz is going anywhere. In any case, Im not sure Alonso is healthy for McLaren as it stands. Not only does he get money they need for other things, he does also slam their partner, deservedly perhaps but in a rude way, very openly. With Alonso's luck, he'll depart right when Honda solves the riddle and get a good unit out there.
  
  I also think Honda is on the right track, we just have to hope they progress fast enough. We will have to see about that for now. They are at least doing their best, and props to them for that.
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  Aug 28 2017 - 20:47
xoya

Posts: 583
Looked like he retired a healthy car, straight away.
I am huge fan of his skill, not so much of his attitude and character though.
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- Aug 28 2017 - 16:01
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
That is ridiculous. McLaren/Honda should cut their losses with this guy. I realise that Honda has disappointed in the worst way, but it was a gamble when he signed with them. A gamble for which he was handsomely paid. With the way he's humiliated them time and time again, it baffles the mind why they're so high on high. He's a great driver - I get that. But I'd say the negatives outweigh the positives at this point.
If I were McLaren, I'd either try and work something out with Button, or go after Sainz.
Hell, they could go after Kubica and try to steal Renault's thunder.
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- Aug 28 2017 - 16:23
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Well, they do technically have a contract in place with Button, so if Button want to return, and doesnt get too infatuated with Super GT, he could very well come back if Alonso goes.
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  Aug 28 2017 - 18:33
kngrthr

Posts: 203
of course there was a problem with the engine.

it's a honda....
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- Aug 29 2017 - 03:59
Karl

Posts: 10
Mclaren should let Alonso go asap and stay with Honda. Unheard of how Alonso humiliates his employers. No employer should tolerate this. Moreover, with his compensation package. Mclaren should stay with Honda. They will get the job done, no doubt. Dennis is and was right: you can't become world champion with a customer engine.
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- Aug 29 2017 - 05:02
- Barron
  
  Posts: 625
  You can if the supplier doesn't run his own race team..We need more engine manufacturers not less and there are a few out there waiting for reg change. The new formula should be relatively straight forward ( by comparison) and then we'll see some extra competition. Sadly, I doubt whether I'll still be here to see it.
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  Aug 29 2017 - 10:31
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  We do definitely need more works teams. I dont dislike having teams like Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault, I think they contribute to the sport, but we need more teams like McLaren Honda around.
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  Aug 29 2017 - 16:29
Smiler121

Posts: 53
My initial reaction was to agree with kngrtgr, however ultimately it stinks to dump the car before the end of a race in a tantrum - there's a massive team who put that car together relying on him to bring it home in the best way possible :-/
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- Aug 31 2017 - 01:35