2017 Mclaren F1 Team - Honda

[makecry]

If that is spec 4 and there are no mitigating circumstances why Alonso is 5th, in front of both Red Bulls and a second ahead of his team mate on a power circuit, then ditching Honda looks a predictably stupid move...

That's not a Spec 4.

It's FP3.

Alonso is not 5th.

[gdogg371]

BBC Sport showing him 5th in FP3?

[makecry]

BBC Sport showing him 5th in FP3?

He is 8th.

[GhostF1]

McLaren always look decent in practice, in qualifying, with some dedicated driving, maybe 9th/10th but because of the engine penalties from the hydraulic leak, I assume Alonso won't push hard. So it's on Vandoorne to show what they can do.

[Dimi]

Nice strategy for qual.

[Squid]

Pretty good actually. Stoffel would probably not have improved beyond 10th in Q3. By being knocked out in Q2 and qualifying 11th, he gets to start with new tyres and in 9th place because of Alonso's and Raikkonen's penalties.

[damager21]

With Alonso and Kimi's penalty, Stoffel starts 9th on the grid with fresh tyres of his choice. Hopefully McLaren-Honda can salvage at least a point in this race.

Really disappointed that Honda could not offer Spec 4 to Alonso. Again grid penalty in a future race, if and when Honda makes Spec 4.0 available for him

[Joseki]

[godlameroso]

Over 2.4 seconds, even if the engine is worth 2 seconds(It's not) the chassis is still down nearly half a second.

[diffuser]

Over 2.4 seconds, even if the engine is worth 2 seconds(It's not) the chassis is still down nearly half a second.

That statement is really.... All things being equal. the chassis would be .4 down. We all know that isn't true(everything would NOT stay the same). If they had a Merc PU, the setup would likely change. 85% of the lap time deficit is coming from the PU.

These are perfect conditions for Merc. They tend to put MUCH heat in their tires. When it's cold or raining when putting heat into the tires is a plus their chassis shines. When it's hot they can't keep the tires cool.

It's gonna be 26C tomorrow. With the sun out, the track temp will be MUCH hotter. Hotter than today but not hot enough to give Merc issues I'm afraid. We'll see how much closer Ferrari is tomorrow.

[zeph]

Over 2.4 seconds, even if the engine is worth 2 seconds(It's not) the chassis is still down nearly half a second.

I don't think it is as simple as that...

[godlameroso]

The gap is massive, regardless of the engine in the back, I think it's pretty simple.

[GoranF1]

This chassis would win few races this year whit Merc PU...it's not at RB level yet but its getting there.

[GoranF1]

With Alonso and Kimi's penalty, Stoffel starts 9th on the grid with fresh tyres of his choice. Hopefully McLaren-Honda can salvage at least a point in this race.

Really disappointed that Honda could not offer Spec 4 to Alonso. Again grid penalty in a future race, if and when Honda makes Spec 4.0 available for him

It doesnt matter, spec 4 will be 4.5hp update....as usual.

[zoroastar]

actually, its not simple at all. and there is no way anyone can know how much downforce each team is running with. mclaren is likely having to compromise its downforce to make up for the horsepower difference on a power circuit. or on any circuit for that matter. mclarens chassis may not be as good as redbulls. the fact is, nobody will know until next year. and redbull will have the advantage of using their familiar PU, at least in the beginning.

The gap is massive, regardless of the engine in the back, I think it's pretty simple.