McLaren wants to leave the “anonymity of Suzuka” in Austin

With improving results before showing up last weekend at Suzuka in Japan, home of Honda, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button hoped to delight the Japanese public fully committed to the cause of the two drivers of Woking.

A wasted effort for the Spaniard and the Briton, author of an almost transparent race on a route which did not suit the MP4-31. « Our race on Sunday mirrored the weekend: it was just anonymous, deplores the double Iberian world champion.

Finishing 16th and 18th today is a rather unpleasant surprise, especially after finishing seventh in Singapore, and seventh and ninth in Malaysia, the previous weekend. I know our car is actually much more competitive than what we were able to show today.

I am obviously disappointed to have put on such a show at home for Honda. We will return to the factory, analyze what happened, and bounce back from this disappointment. » The old pilot Renault et Ferrari is counting on the next Austin event in the United States to restore the image of McLaren and Honda.

« I hope Suzuka was an exception, and we'll get back to business as usual at the next race in Austin.. It was clear that the track layout did not suit our package. We lacked downforce in the fast corners. »

The top 10 will once again be the stated objective of McLaren – Honda across the Atlantic. The Japanese engine manufacturer had brought developments to Malaysia regarding the reliability of the V6 turbo/hybrid Power Unit driven by Fernando Alonso, which should benefit Jenson Button in Texas. Honda was also recently seen reallocate a development token by the FIA.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Japanese Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Suzuka, in AUTO issue 2084hebdo, available now in digital version, and on newsstands tomorrow.