Source: McLaren Media Centre

F1 News

McLaren don't think they're underperforming

McLaren don't think they're underperforming

16-04-2018 16:47
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

McLaren has blamed everything that was bad about the team on Honda for the last three years, but now that the team has a different engine they aren't exactly running away with the championship either.

It's not that surprising if you think about it, really. The whole reason McLaren switched to Honda in 2015 was that they couldn't compete with Mercedes anymore. In 2014, Mercedes ran rings round McLaren with the same engine. The same was happening in 2013, but it wasn't as obvious because of the Red Bull dominance during that year.

Now it's apparent again that McLaren is unable to build a good chassis, pressure on the management of the team has increased. However, team principal Eric Boullier isn't too bothered by it all.

"There are no big issues with the chassis, we're just a bit short on some departments," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"A bit short" seems very mild, as McLaren is driving a full second and a half slower than Red Bull, who of course have the same engine.

"Our drivers are very happy with the balance of the car, so why should we change the whole concept of it?

"The car is meeting our expectations, but those expectations were too low apparently."