McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team Racing Director Eric Boullier was disappointed to end winter testing in Barcelona with further issues on Friday, but says McLaren know what they need to do.
“Today was not the way we’d hoped to conclude the final day of pre-season testing.
“Yesterday’s electrical issues persisted, prompting us to make regular changes to the car throughout the day in order to identify what has been causing the car to lose power intermittently.
“Although we’ve suffered a number of issues over the course of two weeks of testing, we’ve certainly learned a lot about the car, and we know the problems that need to be addressed.”
Although the Woking based squad understand what issues they need to resolve ahead of the first race in Melbourne, there is unfortunately no quick fix to their conundrum. Boullier however, is confident they will have stepped up a level in performance by the start of the new season.
“Plainly speaking, they aren’t overnight fixes, but we’re hopeful both McLaren and Honda will be able to make progress on them ahead of Australia in two short weeks.
“The guys and girls in the team have worked tirelessly and relentlessly to keep moving us forward day-by-day, and I’m incredibly proud and appreciative of the hard work and determination shown within the team.”
McLaren had hoped this season would be the one to get them back to winning ways, changing their livery back to the iconic orange and dropping their size zero concept for an all new structure.
Positivity was at a high over the winter break, and in no way had they anticipated having so many issues with the Honda engine at this late stage of development.
Nevertheless, Boullier and McLaren are fully set on changing their fortunes by the time they line up on the grid for the first race on March 26, and finally enjoying the sort of season they had all anticipated.
“It’s not been an easy testing period for us by any stretch, but we’re as motivated as ever to turn it around and find the solutions we need to get us back on track and headed in the direction we need to go.”
