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McLaren team boss Eric Boullier believes that the Woking-based squad will need a bit of time to catch Red Bull. Both teams will run with Renault power in 2018, as McLaren ends its disastrous three-year stint with Japanese manufacturer Honda.
Fernando Alonso, who is yet to sign a contract for next year, has said it is possible McLaren will win races in 2018, as Red Bull has claimed two victories this season with Renault engines. The energy drink-backed team also claimed two wins in 2016, after a winless 2015 season.
But team boss Boullier is quoted by the Spanish daily Marca as warning that catching Red Bull might take some time: "If you have a ten-year relationship with a partner, you obviously have a different starting point to us," said the Frenchman.
"But we are in the process of building that relationship now. It will take some time, but we are motivated to do our best. We are McLaren, we exist to win, so we're going to do everything to achieve that," Boullier added.
He also acknowledged that, after three seasons as the exclusive Honda partner, McLaren will now have a strong benchmark in the form of Red Bull next year: "If you have the whole package - which means a good engine, the best car, people and driver - you should win. So for us the pressure is the same. If another team has the same engine and you don't beat them, then you know something is wrong with the rest of the package," he concluded.
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (6)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I hope it can be done, would be great to see a four-way fight!
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I think McLaren has gotten better. But I still worry about the fact that even when they had Mercedes engines, they had been not much better than they are right now. Still, Alonso talks constantly about how good the handling and cornering speed are on this car. Can't wait to see McLaren winning again. Also... I hope the team gear improves. It's been dreadful since the Honda switch. I used to love McLaren team gear.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I havent liked McLaren's team gear for quite a while. Its been at least 5 years since the last time they e.g had a cool cap. And if you want to see a winning McLaren, you will have to wait for some time. They couldnt win races with the very dominant 2014 spec Merc engine, I doubt they will with a Renault engine.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I agree. A lot of their current issues are pinned on the honda engine. Once they swap for renault they will be exposed. Not sure that swapping the pu would bring benefit in the space of 2 years from now.
Major Tom
Posts: 152
And hopefully Renault will have slowed the engine power gap a little more by the beginning of 2018.
Barron
Posts: 625
Oh dear, Madame Boullier making advanced excuses.. No change there then..