McLaren’s misery continued on Thursday during the opening day of the third and final pre-season test with Jenson Button managing just seven laps.
The Briton’s day came to an end before lunch when a hydraulic leak was spotted. Further investigation found that a complete engine change is required before the team can continue.
Due to the length of time required to change the power unit – around four hours – McLaren’s MP4-30 won’t return to the Circuit de Catalunya until Friday.
“We’re bringing the shutters down on today, a hydraulic leak means we need to change the engine,” the team wrote on Twitter.
It’s just the latest in a long list of problems which have hit the team’s pre-season preparations and, with just three days left before the first race, it’s looking increasingly likely that the team won’t be ready.
Button’s best lap of the day was almost seven seconds off Lewis Hamilton’s best, which put him slowest at the lunch break.
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