Alonso defines McLaren’s 2017 season as ‘very bad’
Fernando Alonso has labelled McLaren’s 2017 season as “very bad”, following a disappointing campaign for the Woking-based outfit.
McLaren was hopeful of moving closer to the front of the field following its improved performance in 2016, however, the lack of power and reliability from the Honda power unit has left the team sitting ninth in the constructors’ standings with one race remaining.
Despite the Honda partnership ending in a messy divorce, McLaren has shown promise on the chassis side this year, and Alonso has finished the last two races inside the points but the Spaniard insists it doesn’t change his opinion on a frustrating year.
“I think it was very bad,” said Alonso. “It was not a good season, despite the progress that is noticeable with what we did with the car and despite the optimism for next year.
“We all believe inside the team that it will be a fantastic 2018 season. We have that mood now in the team.
“I think if we look back when we launch the car in McLaren in February, new regulations, four months to work on the engines to power a little bit what we had in 2016, the hopes for this season were much different, I think for myself and for the team.
“Now, to be ninth in the constructors’ championship, to use 12 engines until now or something like that, it cannot be a good season for anyone in the team.”
Although points have been difficult to come by in 2017, McLaren’s progression has not gone unnoticed by Alonso, even at circuits that didn’t suit the MCL32’s characteristics, and the double world champion admits the team is “optimistic” of catching the top teams next year.
“I think from Hungary onwards I think every step we introduced in the car was quite positive, even in Spa and Monza where because of the layout we didn’t prove it,” he added.
“I think we are in the right direction. Definitely, it’s still a little bit to catch the top guys, in terms also of the chassis, but I think we are optimistic.
“We know our strengths, and we know our weaknesses and we need to make sure that in March next year we attack all of them.”