For the first time since 1989, McLaren will be running a Honda engine with two World Champion drivers in their cars. Whilst that season proved to be highly controversial, but ultimately securing both titles, 2015 is set to be very much different. After producing a car which was embarrassingly unreliable in pre-season testing as well as temporarily losing their new re-signing Fernando Alonso before the first race had even begun, it could well be a very tough start to the season for McLaren.
McLaren-Honda 2015 Season Preview
After covering only a few more miles in testing across twelve days than Force India covered in three, it was clear from the off that it was going to be an uphill struggle for the team right away. Whilst many will refer to the Red Bull situation this time last year, which was a very similar case, I do not feel that we will see the same results from the off for McLaren. Red Bull failed to do any significant mileage last season in testing, however, Renault did as they supplied other teams. Renault probably used this data to help the gremlins which Red Bull suffered when getting used to their new powertrain. Honda does not have this luxury, as they currently only supply the McLaren team, and this appears to be an exclusive deal, especially after Ron Dennis’ comments regarding Mercedes in the recent past.
One positive for McLaren fans however, is that they managed a hundred laps in a single day on one occasion during testing, which is better than Red Bull could do last year, and when the car has worked, it does look relatively quick. It was also quick towards the end of last season, as McLaren jumped well ahead of both Ferrari and Force India in terms of outright pace, and even occasionally Red Bull.
No. 14 Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso re-joins the team which he so famously left in highly controversial circumstances back in 2007. Whilst he and Ron Dennis have appeared to patch up old wounds, the signing has caused a bit of a stir with McLaren fans who remember the tricky time that was the 2007 season. After failing to produce the third title which he so desperately craves and many fans feel that he certainly deserves at Ferrari, he has returned to McLaren to try and make amends for what happened in 2007. Alonso is running out of time to secure this title, and whilst it is clear that this is a long-term project just like the Mercedes one was, he must be ready to pounce if it all comes together for the partnership. As for his chances this year: missing the first race will not help; an unreliable car will not help; and a lack of mileage will not help. By the end of the season however, McLaren could be a regular podium contender, a stark contrast to the previous two seasons. We all know that Alonso is invincible on his day, and how successful he is this season may depend on reliability and how frequently his days appear.
No. 20 Kevin Magnussen
Having been dropped to make room for Alonso, Magnussen finds himself back in the race seat he lost for the first race of the season at least. With a rumoured move to Manor also in the works if Roberto Merhi cannot last the whole season in the car for financial reasons, Magnussen may be doing much more F1 racing in 2015 than it first appeared. Magnussen will be expected to take part in the in-season tests for McLaren at the very least, and is already fulfilling his reserve driver role really well. I cannot help but feel though that he rightfully deserves a full race seat this year though.
No. 22 Jenson Button
Button had a really strong season last year after a couple of pretty mediocre seasons. It took a very long time for him to be announced at McLaren last year, and it will be interesting to see how he performs against Fernando Alonso. Whilst Button had the upper hand across Lewis Hamilton (in terms of points and podiums) who arguably equals Alonso in terms of talent, it was pretty clear which one of the two British drivers was the quicker of the two during their three years together. As part of one of two line-ups which feature solely World Champions this year, the intra-team battle at McLaren is one of the more intriguing ones, but due to the state of the car at the moment, it may be more influenced by reliability than outright speed.
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