Fernando Alonso once again hit out at Honda’s lack of power, describing its deficit during the Brazilian Grand Prix as “amazing”.
McLaren has been hindered by a lack of reliability and performance since reuniting with Honda in 2015, and holds a low-key ninth in this year’s championship.
Alonso, having held fifth on the opening lap, dropped behind Felipe Massa at the post-Safety Car restart, and was unable to overhaul his opponent across the remainder of the race.
Alonso ultimately came home in eighth place, after both he and Massa were demoted by Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo, and was left to lament a lack of top end speed.
“We had a fantastic car all the race through but we could not overtake,” said Alonso.
"The lack of power was amazing, the same in Mexico. I was very close to Felipe out of the last corner a few times and thought 'now is the time I will pass him' but even with DRS he was pulling away.
“The lack of power is quite worrying for Toro Rosso next year.
“[But] for us, it's a happy weekend,” said Alonso.
“We started sixth, were fifth in the first corner, and then we finished in the points. Overall the best weekend so far and quite happy.
“Renault is the best engine company in the last 15 or 20 years so I think we should not worry.”
Alonso was the sole McLaren driver to reach the chequered flag, after Stoffel Vandoorne retired in the wake of contact with Kevin Magnussen on the opening lap.
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