4
Fernando Alonso says that McLaren is expecting improved results during the 2017 season compared to the last three years. The Woking squad will run with Renault power units after it announced towards the end of 2017 that it would be splitting from Honda.
In the three years that McLaren was powered by the Japanese manufacturer, it never managed a better result than sixth in the championship standings. But Alonso pointed out that Red Bull, who also have Renault units, suffered from poor reliability last year.
FIA Explains Why Lando Norris Was Not Penalised
Verstappen Inspires Piastri: “Titles Are Not Everything”
"We're going to be much more competitive. I don't know how much," Alonso told Spanish newspaper AS. "Last year Red Bull looked like they were going to be strong due to the change in the rules, yet they had a slow start. [Max] Verstappen was forced to retire from a few races, they had completed less laps than us halfway through the year.
"For the expectations on Red Bull, that's a big blow. You always get asked if you are going to have a good car, but if you start badly, it's a huge comedown, so we can't anticipate anything."
However, he has stated that there is a positive move in camp: "What I can say is that expectations are higher now than they have been during the past three years. The atmosphere at the factory is more positive, and everyone is determined to go that extra bit further, because we all want to be much more competitive - and I think we will be."
It's fast approaching five years since Alonso came out victorious in F1. McLaren has confirmed that the Spaniard will be the first to drive the new MCL33 in Barcelona in the first week of pre-season testing.
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
979 members have this team as their favourite
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
Would be great if he could get a podium this year.