McLaren have lost fan support because they or perhaps Honda are making basic errors. None of the other engine manufacturers had these type of problems three years into the turbo engines. There is a problem at Honda that has not been addressed, it is cultural. Honda never achieved in their last F1 era, haven't they learned from their mistakes? They have taken some risk this year, they said that, this is a change of approach. While the risk taking should have happened in 2015 it is a positive that the risk taking is taking part now. I am hoping this will bring results this time. I suspect this is the turning year but it may not occur till Spain. If not, Honda might as well pull out. I am not holding my breath though.
Rather than use the experience of people who have worked for the European manufacturers, Honda have tried to do it all by themselves with Japanese engineers. The Japanese are very stubborn, they will take a philosophy and run with it. If they have to change that philosophy to make something work, they will consider it a failure rather than a success, even if the change worked. It is clear that Honda are unlikely to succeed again. McLaren need to rip up the contract and try and cosy up to someone else, or build their own. They have the resources and manufacturing capability to do it.
Well I have some fantastic news to announce, but I'm sure all you closet fans have had this marked on your TW4T calendar! That's right, the mother of all FUKTARDS has the opportunity to ruin any motivation recovered over the winter for this sport, introducing the one and only (thank fukin God) David Croft. Yes that's right, we have the pleasure of his commentary, thoughts and updates in this weeks test.
Why? WHHHYY? Ive actually enjoyed Teds bumbling around the pit lane during last weeks test. His interview with Brawn was pretty good. The measuring of Ricciardo's body parts...not so much
Is the Mclaren money well infinite these days? This'll be their 5th failed year in a row, the 4th without a major sponsor. Are they making enough in road cars to pay for it?
They have fingers in many pies. Road cars, electronics, engineering etc. Also the main investors will put money in and the money they get from F1 alone is fairly sizeable as they are a 'classic' team or whatever it is that these top teams get which gives them a bigger slice. McLaren didn't have a major sponsor for a few years as Dennis would rather not have one at all, than in his view undersell the space on the car.
Plus Honda are giving them free (crap engines) as well as paying them (McLaren) for the privilege to supply said crap engines and most if not all of Fernando's wages are being paid by Honda..
Boulliet says free practice on Fridays will have to be used a short testing for the first few races to make up for Barcelona. Awful from Honda.
Really hoping that main problem is oil tank and that is easy fix. I am hoping that they turned pu down to allow them a little bit of track time due to oil issues. If Honda don't turn this round this year their F1 reputation is way beyond the gutter and McL are in deep doo.
Honda sent the second engine back to Japan and to date have not found out what caused the failure. The oil tank issue was apparently an easy fix. I can't remember the last time a major manufacturer had this much trouble for so long, since, err Honda in the mid to late 00's! Renault initially had big issues with their engines in 2014 but got over the power and reliability issues fairly quickly and successfully comparative to Honda.
Really hoping that main problem is oil tank and that is easy fix. I am hoping that they turned pu down to allow them a little bit of track time due to oil issues. If Honda don't turn this round this year their F1 reputation is way beyond the gutter and McL are in deep doo. I am hoping that the current reliability is due to a complete redesign and the issues are easy fixes. The thing that doesn't really make sense to me is you would think after the last 2 years Honda would have developed a much better test bed. They seem to keep bringing PU's that cant last and aren't powerful. Also interesting that they had 5 yes 5 pu available at first test. They must know they have issues otherwise why have 5 pu's available when you know that isn't even the pu you will be running in OZ? I can sort of understand their philosophy that they want to develop in house expertise but sometimes it's better to get external help to guide your learning.
Fin is back for Merc, but this time without the chimney.. maybe the venting of the air for cooling purposes was messing with the aero around they rear of the car and effecting the wing/diffuser?
Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo currently fastest ahead of Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton; Sebastian Vettel just behind on medium tyre; Day One timesheet (updated 11.28am UK time): 1) Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 39 laps, soft tyres, 1:20.077; 2) Felipe Massa, Williams, 54 laps, soft tyres, 1:20.084; 3) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 49 laps, soft tyres, 1:20.456; 4) Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 63 laps, medium tyres 1:21.136 EDIT... Massa???? Williams become only the third team to break the 1:20 mark in winter testing so far as Felipe Massa dips across the line in a time of 1:19.76 on supersoft tyres
