How Quickly Can McLaren Recover from Another F1 Preseason Testing Setback?
Another day of Formula One preseason testing, another struggle for McLaren-Honda. Indeed "Struggle" could be branded on the side of the MP4-30 (in place of, say, a missing title sponsor) as a theme for McLaren's year so far.
At the first test in Jerez, Spain, McLaren managed just 79 laps (Red Bull had the next fewest at 166). Last week in Barcelona, Spain, McLaren's total improved—slightly—to 124. Thursday, the first day of the final preseason test, also in Barcelona, Jenson Button completed just seven laps before a hydraulic leak ended his day, as the team announced on Twitter:
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It may be an inauspicious start to the rekindled relationship between McLaren and Honda, but all hope is not lost...at least not yet.
After nine testing days last year, Red Bull had completed just 176 laps and they ended the season second in the constructors' championship, the only team other than Mercedes to win a race. By that measure, McLaren is ahead of the game, having already completed 210 laps this preseason. They still have time to get their car in shape for the first race in Australia on March 15.
However, that comparison with Red Bull is not identical. For one, all of Honda's engine data is coming from McLaren. They have no other engine customers, limiting their ability to compare various engine settings and solutions to problems on different cars. In 2014, there were four teams using the Renault engine, including Red Bull.
Also, as my colleague Oliver Harden pointed out, McLaren will not have the benefit of any additional running in between the final test and the first race, as Red Bull enjoyed last year when they saved one of their promotional filming days for that purpose. Any solutions to McLaren's various problems that are not implemented in the next three days of testing will not be used on track until the first free practice sessions in Melbourne, Australia.
Finally, McLaren are also missing their new star driver, Fernando Alonso, after a mysterious crash at the Circuit de Catalunya last Sunday that saw him spend three days in the hospital.
On Sunday, racing director Eric Boullier said Alonso "was concussed during the accident," in a team press release. On Thursday, CEO Ron Dennis denied that his driver had been concussed and told reporters that, in fact, "He's devoid of all injuries."
Dennis did not explain why a person with no injuries required a three-day stay in the hospital.
Although Dennis said his press conference was intended to clear up the rumours and speculation that have been lighting up the internet in recent days, the continuing contradictions and lack of clarity from the team is only fanning the flames.
Meanwhile, 2014 race driver Kevin Magnussen will take Alonso's place at the final test and is on standby for the Australian Grand Prix, if Alonso is not fit to race.
That is not a disaster. Magnussen has a year of F1 experience with McLaren, and he actually scored the team's best finish in 2014—second place in Australia. Still, the added distraction cannot be helping as the team races to fix the problems with its new Honda power unit.
Just as a fantastic preseason does not necessarily augur championship success, a poor preseason can be overcome. Red Bull did it last year and McLaren can do it this year—whether they will do it is another question.
A good first step would be to clear up the Alonso issue so the team focus solely on getting the most they can out of the last three days of testing. A good second step would be showing up in Melbourne with a car and engine that can complete 58 laps at something approaching full power.
For now, though, one step at a time.
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