News
3rd February 2015, 23:10
After the first three days of pre-season testing at Jerez, McLaren-Honda's 2015 car has managed just 44 laps in total - in stark contrast to the likes of Mercedes, who have clocked up almost ten times that amount.
But McLaren racing director Eric Boullier insists there is no sense of worry within the camp - particularly as the issues are also a symptom of just how pioneering McLaren and Honda have tried to be in order to catch the world champions...
Q: Eric, how has your winter been? Full of headaches?
Eric Boullier: No, not many headaches - just a very busy winter. We had a very good schedule in place - including Abu Dhabi, and past Abu Dhabi - so yes: busy, but no headaches.
Q: The last time we spoke was the test in Abu Dhabi - the first track outing for the renewed McLaren-Honda partnership, which was a pretty tough two days. What has changed since then? The first three test days in Jerez don't seem to be easier - is that something that worries you?
EB: No. We have a very ambitious plan for McLaren-Honda and if you want to close the gap with Mercedes you have to do a better job than they did. They did an amazing job, so we have to do an outstanding job. We have tried to be on top of everything to be the best [and] bring new technology as well. It is challenging - and we are committed. And that is why we are testing. One by one we fix the issues - and hopefully sooner rather than later we will then start to work on the performance.
Q: So after three days and only 44 laps nobody is getting nervous?
EB: No. Not at all.
Q: How much have the two companies grown together since?
EB: We are fully satisfied with how the two companies have grown together. Regarding any cultural differences McLaren has set up the proper communication channels in talking with Honda from day one. And since then things have flourished around this basic structure. Now we have constant communication channels between Sakura, Woking and Milton Keynes. Even if there are still some language issues, it is working absolutely flawlessly.
Q: What do McLaren expect from Honda this season - and vice versa? How much wishful thinking is involved?
EB: No wishful thinking. The expectations are firstly to work jointly, and that we are already doing - we are one team and that is very important. The expertise of McLaren in F1 is very important as well: McLaren is on top of every procedure and process, and that is very useful for Honda - and vice versa. We benefit from the huge resources from Honda. So we will be successful.
Q: Regarding your engine development in 2015, how much you can do will depend on how much in-season development your rivals choose to do. How will that work?
EB: There was a previous interpretation that would have been even worse! At some stage there are still some discussions running. What we are really aiming for is fairness - that is very important. The story with these [development] 'tokens' is maybe exactable as a compromise, because it allows a new entrant like Honda - which has started one year later than the others and now faces the huge challenge to catch up - [the chance] to catch up. You cannot be stuck to what you have, not being allowed to develop your product. So let's wait and see - as I said discussions are ongoing. We all want F1 to be more spectacular - and we want more engine manufacturers in the paddock - so we need to find the right compromise for the future to encourage them to join. And that also includes stability - that it is clear where we are going. So there are many topics left on the table for the coming years. (laughs)
Q: McLaren have changed their aero philosophy. You are not chasing the elusive peak downforce any longer, but the
More... (http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2015/2/16801.html)
But McLaren racing director Eric Boullier insists there is no sense of worry within the camp - particularly as the issues are also a symptom of just how pioneering McLaren and Honda have tried to be in order to catch the world champions...
Q: Eric, how has your winter been? Full of headaches?
Eric Boullier: No, not many headaches - just a very busy winter. We had a very good schedule in place - including Abu Dhabi, and past Abu Dhabi - so yes: busy, but no headaches.
Q: The last time we spoke was the test in Abu Dhabi - the first track outing for the renewed McLaren-Honda partnership, which was a pretty tough two days. What has changed since then? The first three test days in Jerez don't seem to be easier - is that something that worries you?
EB: No. We have a very ambitious plan for McLaren-Honda and if you want to close the gap with Mercedes you have to do a better job than they did. They did an amazing job, so we have to do an outstanding job. We have tried to be on top of everything to be the best [and] bring new technology as well. It is challenging - and we are committed. And that is why we are testing. One by one we fix the issues - and hopefully sooner rather than later we will then start to work on the performance.
Q: So after three days and only 44 laps nobody is getting nervous?
EB: No. Not at all.
Q: How much have the two companies grown together since?
EB: We are fully satisfied with how the two companies have grown together. Regarding any cultural differences McLaren has set up the proper communication channels in talking with Honda from day one. And since then things have flourished around this basic structure. Now we have constant communication channels between Sakura, Woking and Milton Keynes. Even if there are still some language issues, it is working absolutely flawlessly.
Q: What do McLaren expect from Honda this season - and vice versa? How much wishful thinking is involved?
EB: No wishful thinking. The expectations are firstly to work jointly, and that we are already doing - we are one team and that is very important. The expertise of McLaren in F1 is very important as well: McLaren is on top of every procedure and process, and that is very useful for Honda - and vice versa. We benefit from the huge resources from Honda. So we will be successful.
Q: Regarding your engine development in 2015, how much you can do will depend on how much in-season development your rivals choose to do. How will that work?
EB: There was a previous interpretation that would have been even worse! At some stage there are still some discussions running. What we are really aiming for is fairness - that is very important. The story with these [development] 'tokens' is maybe exactable as a compromise, because it allows a new entrant like Honda - which has started one year later than the others and now faces the huge challenge to catch up - [the chance] to catch up. You cannot be stuck to what you have, not being allowed to develop your product. So let's wait and see - as I said discussions are ongoing. We all want F1 to be more spectacular - and we want more engine manufacturers in the paddock - so we need to find the right compromise for the future to encourage them to join. And that also includes stability - that it is clear where we are going. So there are many topics left on the table for the coming years. (laughs)
Q: McLaren have changed their aero philosophy. You are not chasing the elusive peak downforce any longer, but the
More... (http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2015/2/16801.html)