Fernando Alonso says he isn’t expecting a “radical change” in McLaren’s performance level at this weekend’s Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
McLaren has returned to the midfield this season after switching from Honda to Renault power, and currently holds fourth place in the Constructors’ standings, three points clear of the French manufacturer.
Alonso has scored points in each Grand Prix – a fifth and a pair of sevenths – but neither he nor Stoffel Vandoorne have escaped Q2, with one-lap gains a key area of focus for the team.
Alonso, though, is not expecting the performance of the MCL33 to be significantly improved this weekend, with more substantial gains anticipated when the sport returns to Spain in May.
“Last year’s race in Baku was certainly a memorable one for us,” said Alonso.
“It was a crazy grand prix and we scored our first points of the season there, so we’ll naturally be looking to repeat that this weekend.
“We know our limitations and where we need to improve our package, and, although we bring parts to test to every race weekend, we aren’t anticipating a radical change in our performance in Baku.
“However, we’re learning more and more about the behaviour of our car each time we step into the cockpit, and in Azerbaijan we’ll be maximising everything we have as usual to score as many points as possible.”
McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier added: “We know our package tends to deliver more on Sundays, so the important thing will be to react quickly to anything that happens.
“We must keep our heads down, push hard and take any and every opportunity that comes our way.
“Both of our drivers have raced brilliantly in the first grands prix of the season and I know they’ll be relishing the opportunity to maximise what they have underneath them in Baku.”
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