We can fight for the title next year, insist McLaren
McLAREN believe their car is now a match for Ferrari and say they could push for the title in 2017, writes Matt Majendie.
Fernando Alonso finished a place behind Kimi Raikkonen in seventh at Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix although the Spaniard was lapped by race winner Lewis Hamilton.
But McLaren racing director Eric Boullier believes the team — seventh in the contructors’ championship — are on the cusp of becoming a major player once again and that the engine gremlins at Honda from last season are a thing of the past.
“We believe our chassis is in the top three — let’s say fighting Ferrari for third spot,” he said.
Of the relationship with their engine supplier, he added: “There were ups and downs but today the relationship is very good and Honda is now stepping up — and we are getting closer and closer.”
Honda have promised to bring more power this season and next and the new rules and regulations in 2017 means confidence is growing among McLaren’s hierarchy for a further change in fortunes on the grid.
Boullier said: “If we have the same power as Mercedes next year I know we can fight for the wins and for podiums and maybe fight for the championship.”