Spanish GP Preview - McLaren planning to charge up the field

Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de-Catalunya, Barcelona McLaren-Honda have been rumored to be upping the pace and fighting for points. From the first four races, it looks as though Mercedes, Ferrari and Williams are the only real front runners for the season. It appeared earlier in the season that the new McLaren-Honda team were definately going to be fighting for mere points rather than podiums and race wins. The team is still pointless and is 9th (out of 10th) in the constructor standings with a best finish of 11th in Australia and Bahrain.

Fernando Alonso in his McLaren MP4-30

It was announced in late 2014 that McLaren were to run with Honda engines for 2015, the move proved to be a bit skeptical and opinions were divided. The 2015 car, MP4-30 definitely didn't seem to be hitting high standards in pre-season pace wise at Barcelona and Jerez, but reliability was a little better for the team. Things were difficult for McLaren with Fernando Alonso suffering a crash which hospitalized him on Day 4 of the 2nd test at Barcelona. The believed reason of why the Honda engine isn't performing is because it actually isn't at its full potential. The engine is said to not be on 100% because it compromises the ability to run a full race, its even said that it would simply explode if put up to 100%. However McLaren's driver Fernando Alonso has stated that the team are turning it up for the Spanish Grand Prix. Quoted from an interview from the official Formula One website, "The steps that we've made since Melbourne all point in the right direction. We will be working flat out to increase the performance for Barcelona - and the odds indicate that we should. I am optimistic - even if I am aware of the fact that still a lot needs to be done."

Medical Teams attending to Alonso after his crash in the 4th day of the 2nd test at Barcelona

My opinion on the Honda powered engine is that McLaren are definitely stepping in the right direction. I think this because Williams will never win a constructors championship over the Mercedes if they are powered by them. This is because Mercedes build there engine so they know how to use it and fully optimize it and because Williams don't build the engine, they can't do the same things. Mercedes can do. But since McLaren are the only Honda powered car, they are effectively the Honda works team. I think by the end of the season, there will be 4 front-runners, Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams and McLaren, and I hope in a few years they can return to the form of the 1988 season, where the Honda powered McLaren, and they won 15 of 16 races.