McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will both take grid penalties at this weekends Belgian Grand Prix as both their cars will be fitted with new Honda power units.
The pair have already used their allocation of five free engines – one more than the rest of the grid thanks to a recent rule change – as well as sixth unit, making this change their seventh.
Honda’s Yasuhisa Arai also warned that the characteristics of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit will not work in their favour, but expects to leave Belgium with at least some positives.
“Honda has updated our combustion characteristics to further improve our power units for Spa and the second half of the season,” said Arai. “This weekend’s free practices will be important to test the pairing of the power units to the cars.
“The Belgian race, however, will surely be a difficult one for the team and drivers, with expected grid penalties and a long and unforgiving power circuit.
“Nevertheless, McLaren-Honda’s focus is to improve race by race. We know we can learn a lot from the circuit for immediate future, and hope that we can come out of the weekend with some positives.”
Racing director Eric Boullier agrees and believes it will be Singapore before McLaren’s true pace is revealed.
“Spa is a truly spectacular circuit – arguably the best on the calendar for many – but, given the unique power and downforce package required, the track won’t play to our strengths.
“Therefore, of course, we must be measured in our optimism, and we will need to wait for Singapore and beyond before we can see the fruits of our labours reflected on track.”
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