Driver puts blame on Honda engine

Well, this isn’t the report card Formula One engine supplier Honda wanted before the 2017 season has even properly started. It also probably didn’t want such comments to come from the mouth of one of the key drivers using its hardware.

But after what has been described as a “difficult” pre- season testing regime, McLaren- Honda F1 ace Fernando Alonso ( pictured) has commented that the McLaren team’s “one problem” is its Honda engine. Ouch.

A bit like a leftover script from last year and the year before that, McLaren was plagued with engine issues during its pre- season test period. While other teams raced around the Barcelona circuit bedding in new technology and practising various heat- of- battle scenarios, McLaren sat on the sidelines like the wheezy kid with a note from his mum.

A frustrated Alonso left no doubt about where the blame lies, saying “There is no reliability and there is no power. We are 30km/ h down on the straight.

“I’m driving at my best. I just need an engine that can run as quick as the others on the straight. The team are all ready to win, except Honda.”

Crikey, Fernando; no sponsor- supplied NSX sports coupe for you, then.

Not that it sounds like the Spanish driver would particularly want one; he’ll probably stick with a McLaren road car instead.

Still, you can’t blame the guy for being outspoken; he has spent years with an underperforming team.

Formula One pundits routinely say that Alonso, on a pure talent basis, remains one of the best drivers on the grid.

It’s such a shame he appears to have a donkey for a race car again this season, before the first chequered flag has even fallen.