Singapore proved to be much more positive in a competitive respect for the McLaren team. However a double DNF on the tough circuit meant that the team took zero points from the event, despite both cars running in the points at one stage of the race. Whilst one driver was plagued by a gearbox problem and the other caught up in a collision with Pastor Maldonado, what was realistically McLaren’s final opportunity to score points resulted in yet more retirements. They will be hoping for a cleaner weekend at Suzuka, where the car’s mechanical and aerodynamic grip should come to the fore.
2015 Singapore Grand Prix McLaren Review
No. 14 Fernando Alonso
Qualifying: 12th
Race: Retired on lap 33 (Gearbox)
Alonso was hindered by yellow flags caused by countryman Carlos Sainz Jr. in qualifying, meaning that he failed to reach Q3 on a day where it was possible to. He started pretty well, and he was running well into the points and was looking pretty racy, even in a straight line against the Renault-powered machines. However a sudden gearbox glitch occurred which Alonso said was due to possible overheating and his race was run.
No. 22 Jenson Button
Qualifying: 15th
Race: Retired on lap 52 (Gearbox)
Button seemed to be unable to get a clean lap in the second part of qualifying and ended up a lowly 15th on the grid on a circuit which was tough to overtake on. Nonetheless, he made a stellar start and kept with the cars in front. He was as high as seventh at one point, before dropping back in the race. On the final restart he was jostling with Pastor Maldonado, before clumsily hitting the back of the Lotus, ruining both of their races. Button later retired due to a gearbox issue.
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