Jenson Button has warned that McLaren will still be at the back of the grid in Malaysia despite predicting "a good gain in performance". After both McLaren cars qualified on the back row in Melbourne, the 2009 world champion trudged to the chequered flag in last place and was the only driver to be lapped twice. Matters were even worse for Kevin Magnussen, standing in for Fernando Alonso, in the second MP4-30 who suffered an engine failure on his way to the grid. "I think we will have a good gain in performance, but still I think we will be right at the back and I am not sure we will be able to race anyone," Button told Sky Sports News HQ.
Curious as to how their pace will compare with Manor, would have thought they would at least be able to compete with them. I guess engines are such a massive factor that even a 2014 Ferrari model of proven reliability is a significant advantage.
One of two things, either they know Manor will not race or they are just focusing on mileage for data and simply want 2 cars to cross the finishing line. Either way it's pretty poor for 2 super brands!
It will be a while before McLaren-Honda Racing Team (now shortened to Mc-HRT for ease) get upto speed, unlike the other engine suppliers they only had 2 cars running through winter testing rather than the 6 or 8 that the others did last year to ready their engines for the 1st season under the new engine regs. As a contest the season is pretty much over, rosberg is already beaten and Ferrari might catch up a bit, but not enough, Mc-HRT will be up for it next year I think.
I don't think the engine is that far off being able to unleash its potential, despite both Honda and McLaren playing it down. If it was going to be months and months before they got the engine right, I'd expect aero development to almost completely shut down, or switch to 2016. What's the point looking to gain half a tenth on aero when you're losing 5 seconds through engine performance and won't be competitive all season? Any updates you bring give away secrets to your rivals that they are much better placed to take advantage of than arguably your own team are. You'd put the resources into something useful, even if it won't be seen for another season. There's also the risk that the woefully underpowered car has different aero characteristics to what it'll be like with full power, so there's a risk that you chase meaningless aero development and get tangled up. But McLaren haven't stopped aero work at all. They've got an S-duct this weekend, amongst other upgrades. If you're still making marginal gains then you're banking on them being worthwhile sooner rather than later. By Spain I expect them to be points scorers, which is more of an improvement than it looks based on Button's Melbourne finish.
I partially see your logic, DHC, and agree with the general view that Honda and McLaren are improving. However, if you'll forgive me, I think this line of thought justifies my sense of the pedantic! I don't think McLaren's chassis work necessarily correlates to an improved engine (although it might). For instance, even if the Honda power unit does remain 5 seconds (or so) down at present, you can still be sure that McLaren will be doing every single thing possible with the chassis regardless – and as fast as possible – very much including aero work. Over a great many years McLaren have built an enviable reputation as being the Constructor most likely to make the biggest gains throughout a season. Ron Dennis prides himself on this and insists upon such status being maintained. Although the new format power unit certainly warrants extra emphasis compared to before its introduction, I see no reason for McLaren's chassis work-rate to be slowed, even in the unlikely event that the power unit has not improved at all since Australia.
I can see the argument, and hadn't really factored Dennis' approach into things. Whilst coming across as a logic driven robot, he does have a narcissistic streak that would conflict with effectively giving up in an area.
Bernie is going to be upset, that stupid little team keep hanging around! Adam Cooper @adamcooperF1 2m2 minutes ago The two Marussias are warmed up and ready to go. The team wants to have one car out on track at the green light
please log in to view this image Manor F1 Team @ManorF1Team · 11m11 minutes ago And...WE'RE BACK! please log in to view this image
Then I must have voted. Thanks! Been up a ladder painting all day. Only just thought about this after sitting down for the end of P1.
I said a few days ago to watch out for Grosjean.. So far he isn't doing too badly. I believe he will challenge to both Vettel and Kimi. He seems to be handling the car much better than his team mate too. Also just the second race weekend and not even a lap in on the first day and Hamilton is already out. A continuation from 2014???
I expect Lotus to be firmly in the top 10 this weekend. Raikkonen and Vettel are gunning that Ferrari this season.
