McLaren-Honda unveils MP4-31

After a difficult 2015 season, where McLaren-Honda only scored 27 points, the Woking team will seek to redress the situation with the MP4-31 which will be entrusted to Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button for the 2016 season. The task still promises to be difficult for the British manufacturer associated exclusively with the Japanese engine manufacturer which is struggling to make its Power Unit reliable. The new car notably presents a shorter nose. The push suspension remains in effect at the front and the pull at the rear and the rear section is still narrow.

« The aero package shows tremendous attention to detail. The car is generally beautiful”, commented Fernando Alonso. “We remain true to our goals in order to find our way back to success.”, continued Ron Dennis, director of McLaren Group.

“We have continued to strengthen our engineering department in recent months and we are convinced that these recruitments will accelerate development”, said Éric Boullier, Team Principal of the British team. “We need to check our work before expecting miracles on the track, aka walk before we run. »

The results will also depend on the optimization of the 6l turbo/hybrid V1.6. “We made changes to the compressor and engine hardware over the winter to mature our concept from last year.”, explained Yasuhisa Arai, Honda sporting director. “We will focus on the balance between the Power Unit and the new chassis, especially with the ERS which was our weakness during the summer. But we will have to go out on track to see if we have really made progress. »

Jenson Button will be the first to take the wheel of the MP4-31 during the winter tests held from Monday February 22 to Thursday February 25 at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. The Briton will give way to Fernando Alonso the next day before returning to the track on Wednesday.

Photos of the McLaren MP4-31

McLaren MP4-31 presentation video