---
title: "Alonso: McLaren has developed in the ‘right direction’"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/10/24/alonso-mclaren-developed-right-direction/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2017-10-24T13:47:52Z"
modified: "2017-10-24T13:48:37Z"
---

# Alonso: McLaren has developed in the ‘right direction’

Despite sitting ninth in Formula 1’s constructors’ standings, Fernando Alonso believes that McLaren has developed in the ‘right direction’ in 2017.

Prior to last weekend’s US Grand Prix, Alonso confirmed that he will remain at McLaren next season. The news followed confirmation last month that the team will split from power unit suppliers Honda at the end of this year. They will instead use a Renault supply in ’18.

The Honda power unit has been dogged by unreliability and has lacked performance versus all rival suppliers.

McLaren has regularly reiterated that their chassis is a strong component. Alonso has highlighted that the team has developed promisingly in this area this season.

“Compared with other seasons, this year we have really progressed and developed the car in the right direction,” he said when speaking to Sky Sports.

“Sometimes we have had some difficulties to see the results we had in the wind-tunnel on the track, while this year, every single part we have put on the car is delivering what we expect.

“That definitely gives us confidence for next year, with the development that is happening now in the wind-tunnel. We have the trust that it will deliver this winter when we put the car on the track.”

McLaren Honda has amassed just 23 points from 17 races in 2017. Next season, McLaren will run the same Renault power unit that has guided Red Bull to two race victories this year.

Alonso has cited the fact that McLaren will pair a race winning engine with their chassis in 2018 as the key reason convincing him to stay with the team.

“I think I had this feeling inside that we were doing things right this year in the chassis department,” he added. “We have all the comparisons; all the data analysis. We know where we are losing \[time\] and at which part in the corners, high-speed, low-speed, the straights.

“So, if we put another power unit on our chassis, we know what we can do and I think that is probably the best news that I had and probably what convinced me.”