After a nightmare season in 2015, McLaren will be desperate to prove that their partnership with Honda was not a big mistake. But can they really get back to the front, let alone score points consistently? The team believe so.
For one of the most successful teams in Formula One, with a big budget and two champion-winning drivers, 9th in the constructors’ is a disaster and they know it. Last year, Alonso frequently came on the radio in frustration, describing the engine as “embarrassing” and a “GP2 engine”.
But this year, it could all change. Pre-season testing was positive, showing much better reliability – completing almost 5 times the number of laps completed in testing 2015. Honda also claim that they have found another 200 BHP in the engine, although they are still behind on straight-line pace.
Although we shouldn’t expect them to be fighting for victories this year, we may see them fighting further up the pack and potentially getting on the podium. However, this is a team who fight to win and this is their goal, but the question is when can they achieve this?
How well will they do next year? Vote here:
What can McLaren achieve in 2016? Go to https://t.co/72QjtxjWXM read more. #F12016
— F1now (@F1NowAction) March 10, 2016
Read 2016 preview part 1 here.