In Spain we'll basically have a new car - Alonso
- Published on 04 May 2016 10:29
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Fernando Alonso says a podium goal might not be too far away for McLaren-Honda in 2016. The Spaniard opened his points account at Sochi with a strong sixth place, although he admitted the result flattered the true pace of the Anglo-British team's package.
"We are happy with how things are going and we want to win, but Mercedes is in another league," Alonso told Spanish radio Cadena Cope this week. "In 2016 we started slowly but we are always improving in leaps and bounds, race after race, and always with high expectations," he added. "Everything we introduce is as expected, but in Russia we were also lucky. It is a circuit that favours us and we also benefitted from several accidents in a race that was not normal," said Alonso.
McLaren-Honda at least had a good weekend when it comes to reliability, with Alonso contrasting a "perfect" Sochi 2016 to "the races last year when more or less we were tossing a coin for things to go wrong". The continuing Achilles Heel, however, is the Honda power unit, amid suggestions the Japanese manufacturer will take its time to introduce upgrades this year.
"In the next few races we are going to get very important things in terms of aerodynamics and the chassis," said Alonso. "It's not envisaged that there is anything important for the engine in the next races but the goal of having the best chassis on the grid is getting closer. In Barcelona we will basically have a new car," he revealed.
"Until we get something for engine power, let's think about going fast in the corners. Circuits like Barcelona and Monaco are coming where the chassis is important and the engine not so much. Then we have a good chance. I think that with more improvements and a little more power, and a race such as Russia where we finished sixth with relative ease, why can't we finish second or third?" said Alonso. "There are 17 grands prix remaining and we will not throw in the towel," he added. (GMM)
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Replies (6)
Login to replyBarron
Posts: 625
What he failed to clarify is that he (and Hamilton) actually jumped 1/2 the field at the first corner by taking an extremely dubious shortcut...
españa1958
Posts: 77
He doesn´t need to clarify nothing !! They were forced to take a shortcut to avoid a clash with other cars. NO steward has complained, the race director hasn´t complained, NO action was taken against Alonso or Hamilton. A race accident is a race accident, don´t make more of it than it is.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Actually, Hamilton got a warning from the stewards (the second this year), as his shortcutting was deemed unnecessary, whereas Alonso was pretty much forced to take it and did apparently not gain any real benefit from it apart from an intact car, so he was not penalized. One more penalty for HamHam and he'll get a nice 10-gridplace drop as a reward for his efforts.
amateurexpert
Posts: 3
Hamilton's reprimand from the stewards was for failing to pass to the left of the T2 bollard, but this occurred during qualifying and not the race. Hamilton, Alonso and Grosjean used the T2 runoff area on the first lap of the race, and no penalties were given.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh I see, that makes sense.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It does sound promising, if they can fix their aero they will basically be much closer to the likes of Toro Rosso. But that is still an if.