McLaren: F1 testing reliability issues now resolved

McLaren insists the reliability problems that hampered its Formula 1 pre-season testing programme have since been resolved, ahead of this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. 

The Woking squad, embarking on its first season with Renault power units following its switch from Honda, suffered a number of issues including a wheel nut failure, battery problems, overheating bodywork and a loose exhaust during two weeks of testing at Barcelona. 

But heading into the 2018 season-opener in Melbourne this weekend, McLaren’s racing director Eric Boullier said it has since carried out work at its Woking factory to ensure it has addressed the problems that affected its preparations for the new campaign.

“We didn’t have the reliability we had hoped for in winter testing, but all the issues we faced have since been addressed back at the factory,” Boullier explained. “There’s a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to ensure we leave no stone unturned in our quest to extract the maximum pace we can from our new package from the first race. 

“Melbourne is a venue that the whole team loves going back to, to kick off the new season. It’s a vibrant city, the fans are incredibly enthusiastic and there’s that palpable ‘back-to-school’ feeling of anticipation, where nobody really knows the form book until the lights go out on Sunday. 

“We’re not expecting miracles to be worked overnight – far from it – but what we do know is that we’ll give it our all this weekend.”

Alonso excited by MCL33 potential 

Fernando Alonso believes his MCL33 has plenty of potential and added he cannot wait to extract the full performance of McLaren’s 2018 challenger around Albert Park. 

“Our car showed a lot of potential in winter testing and, although we know we still have a lot to work on, we’ve already learned a lot about the package and how all the new elements to this year’s car work together,” Alonso said. “Australia is its first real test, and we need to work hard all weekend to bring all the ingredients together. 

“Nobody can ever predict how other teams will perform at the first race of the season and that all contributes to the excitement. Melbourne is a great track and, after what feels like a long winter, I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do.”