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The dynamics of a car cannot lie. They can be assisted by improved grip from the tyres and low fuel loads, but the McLaren is an honest and true car on track. What's more, the drivers are revelling in the improved drivability of the Renault engine compared to the Honda they struggled with last year.
It was notable that Alonso was at the track throughout most of Tuesday to keep tabs on the progress of the team and Vandoorne. If the double champion's level of engagement in goings on is the barometer of McLaren's hopes, then he seems relatively content.
I'm at a loss for words...maybe they'll be somewhat competitive by mid season
The stated reason was oil leak which required a PU change. It sounds like they will be back out in the afternoon. That said, these things keep happening and aren't happening to other teams. One or two random things might happen to the different teams (it is testing) but this is becoming moar than random.
The necessity for the engine and fuel to be developed together in this formula was underlined last year when McLaren ran Mercedes engines as customers but was contracted to run Mobil fuel. Despite identical engines to the works cars, the McLarens were often as much as 40 horsepower down.
Also remember that RBR this year is using Mobil fuels and oils while Renault/McLaren are using Castrol/BP. Next year McLaren switches to Petrobras fuels.
I don't think it's that bad. They were 2 seconds off the pace last year. Renault engine is worth 1 second. I think they'll be 1-1.5 seconds off at the beginning of the year and claw that back to 0.5-1.0 by seasons end. Remember in 2012 Alonso regularly qualified at the bottom of the top 10 but still finished 2nd in the championship.
Just throwing this out there, but what if their self proclaimed great chassis (and its cooling solutions) is part of the problem. We know the Honda PU was bad, but maybe the cooling (or lack there of) was part of the problem. If they have to change their cooling philosophy to keep the PU alive it could very well take away some of their speed.
I really hope Liberty does something with the mics for this year. These cars are sounding pretty good to me.
in person the difference between the 2014 cars and 2017 cars was so different, just based off those vids the 2018 cars already sound better than 2017's. hoping to go to one more race before engine regs change.
Re: The Official Formula 1 2018 Season Thread
(I wanted a spinning emoji but that's all we gots)
