2016 McLaren F1 Team - Honda

[damager21]

Another excerpt form the article http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-299654.html

"Last year we did not win (much) money being ninth place in the world championship, but this year being around fifth, we will," he added.

So the target for this year is fifth behind Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and Williams.

Talking about today's race, I am not sure if we will be able to score points unless you have at least 2 of the Top 10 drivers retire. In this race, I expect both cars of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull to be in the points leaving only 4 positions for 2 McLaren drivers. Looks tough with Torro Rosso and Williams ahead.

[DiogoBrand]

They'll have to be very much on top of their game to beat Haas, STR and FI.

[geogate]

Not sure why anyone would declare anything after Barcelona. Both Mclaren and Honda are systematically developing and untapping performance throughout the year.
If you want to judge their project development - wait untill after Abu Dhabi.
I think people seriously under estimate how difficult what they are trying to do is, and the short timescale they trying to achieve it in

[ollandos]

what catastrophic strategy is this?.........they kill drivers race........ with this medium tyre.......

[bauc]

Yes, double medium stints killed both ALO & BUT.

I guess the mp4-31 its really bad on its tyres

[McG]

Well it's better than last year but still disappointing. Very disappointing actually.

[alonsofan]

we were sitting ducks on the straights

[alonsofan]

i little power boost from honda, and some reliability and a better chassis could make us the 3rd - 4th best team

[superdowg316]

Button in the post-race press conference said that the strategy was wrong and that he hopes the reason their pace wasn't that great was down to that, "otherwise we can't fight for points". Alonso was relatively pleased so to speak and just basically said that he had nothing to say given that this was his first full race distance since pre-season testing.

The McLaren wasn't that bad on softs, both drivers could stay ahead of the Haas, Force India, Toro Rosso and even the Williams for a bit. Jenson made some great moves and Fernando nearly pulled a cheeky switchback when Vettel passed so it's not too bad, but tyre wear and strategy are a problem. Whether they're points material at the moment will make more sense when that is sorted out, which I don't think we'll get a super clear indication until Catalunya and Monaco, when we get to a twisty circuit for the first time and we can see whether the chassis is good enough as to what reports are saying.

[Far]

Mp4-31 chassis looks like a poor chassis and the Honda engine is still not good enough only second season but the mp4-31 should be better maibe they need the aero engineering from Toro Rosso

[damager21]

We definitely need 0.5 sec more to stay ahead of Torro Rosso and Force India, possibly Williams as well. In race trim, Williams don't look great.

So its Mercedes 0.5 sec ahead of Ferrari and 0.8 sec ahead of Red Bull. Then there seems to be a big gap about 1.5 secs to Mercedes where Williams, Torro Rosso, McLaren, Force India and Haas are within 0.5 sec of each other.

Next race in Russia we will again score 0 points but Spain could be turn around of the season for us. Expecting a new aero package and hopefully engine upgrade from improvements in pretext of reliability or use of tokens.

[ollandos]

today team lost the best chance for podium on last 20 months.....the best strategy it whas from vettel ....with same mclaren maybe finish in front of red bulls ........too long stinds with slower tyre for all race for 1 stop less today make mclaren cars look like gp2 cars not only the engine....

button ss-s-s-ss
alonso s-s-ss-ss

thats my opinion and with that i think they can take podium today ...with so big advantage from hamilton riciardo and both ferraris after the SC

[proteus]

today team lost the best chance for podium on last 20 months.....the best strategy it whas from vettel ....with same mclaren maybe finish in front of red bulls ........too long stinds with slower tyre for all race for 1 stop less today make mclaren cars look like gp2 cars not only the engine....

button ss-s-s-ss
alonso s-s-ss-ss

thats my opinion and with that i think they can take podium today ...with so big advantage from hamilton riciardo and both ferraris after the SC

The SS are eaten by the car too fast.

[proteus]

Mp4-31 chassis looks like a poor chassis and the Honda engine is still not good enough only second season but the mp4-31 should be better maibe they need the aero engineering from Toro Rosso

Poor? did u watch the race? Button overtaking others with medium compaund, while everybody else were on soft or even SS. The only problem is tyre managment, otherwise the car is not bad at all.

[ollandos]

today team lost the best chance for podium on last 20 months.....the best strategy it whas from vettel ....with same mclaren maybe finish in front of red bulls ........too long stinds with slower tyre for all race for 1 stop less today make mclaren cars look like gp2 cars not only the engine....

button ss-s-s-ss
alonso s-s-ss-ss

thats my opinion and with that i think they can take podium today ...with so big advantage from hamilton riciardo and both ferraris after the SC

No. SS would be a terrible idea. We saw that Mclaren is becoming fast (but still lacks some horsepower to be fighting the best), but the car just eats away those SS. I was quite frankly shocked to see Button overtaking others with harder tyres which proves that the car is not bad at all. If the car would be capable preserving its tyres for atleast 5 more laps with their pace, they both would be in top 10, maybe even contending for 6th place.

Im personally looking forward for Russia, Monaco and Hungary.

the ss at the and is for 10 laps stinds 2 for alonso and 1 for button ....that can make 1.-2.5 sec than other .....

alonso today clear for me loose 1 high possible podium ....all race until 1st pit work for him .....and team make the most stupid choise EVER see in F1

sorry but iam very angry.......