[Team] McLaren - can they compete?

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Articus

Seems as though Jenson Button still pledges allegiance to Honda after this divorce?

There's a big assumption that Button will be in a Penske due to Honda. But Zak Brown has a United Autosports LMP2 at Daytona as well.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

There's a big assumption that Button will be in a Penske due to Honda. But Zak Brown has a United Autosports LMP2 at Daytona as well.

After posting above, I think I read that the Button Penske deal is not going to work for undisclosed reasons ($$$?). I also read about the Zak Brown deal as well.

Richard

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

After posting above, I think I read that the Button Penske deal is not going to work for undisclosed reasons ($$$?). I also read about the Zak Brown deal as well.

Richard

And the fact there's no space left for him? The drivers were announced at the beginning of this week, Cameron/JPM/Pagenaud and Castroneves/Taylor/Rahal. And think the money Zak may have hinted at for United's LMP2 at Daytona and potentially Sebring, Petit Le Mans may have been more than Penske/Acura wanted to offer.

[S griffin]

Button and Honda go back a long way and he did compete for them in Super GT, so I think he still has some connection with them

[chillibowl]

if his 2017 retainer is any indication of his 2018 salary demands, can Mclaren justify spending that much for Button to maintain essentially a promotional/reserve driver role?

also seeing some silly numbers being thrown around for Alonso's 2018 salary.... 40mil euros!!!

regardless of how good he is/still might be, if that number is true then its a crazy amount for a driver not in a top car.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Alonso thinks McLaren-Renault can.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/132495

[GTRMagic]

When will the team announce their new corporate pArtners to fund the year?

[S griffin]

Well Fred hasn’t lost anything, will make a nice change to see him at the front again

[loon]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well Fred hasn’t lost anything, will make a nice change to see him at the front again

I always wondered what happened at Renault when Trulli was Blowing Alonso away then mysteriously became slow around mid-season

[RWill2073]

I think there's still a question as to whether McLaren Renault can compete.

How many changes will be needed to that apparently great chassis to accommodate a new motor? How much will those changes bring McLaren in line with other Renault teams, basically putting them in a fight with Red Bull, and possible Renault, all a step below Mercedes and maybe still Ferrari? Although, I could see Red Bull and/or McLaren leapfrogging Ferrari.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well Fred hasn’t lost anything, will make a nice change to see him at the front again

Hmmm, lets see how it goes. I don't quite see that as a fait accompli.

Richard

[insane014]

Originally Posted by RWill2073

I think there's still a question as to whether McLaren Renault can compete.

How many changes will be needed to that apparently great chassis to accommodate a new motor? How much will those changes bring McLaren in line with other Renault teams, basically putting them in a fight with Red Bull, and possible Renault, all a step below Mercedes and maybe still Ferrari? Although, I could see Red Bull and/or McLaren leapfrogging Ferrari.

McLaren should be happy if they can hold onto the pace they have right now with new engines next year.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by loon

I always wondered what happened at Renault when Trulli was Blowing Alonso away then mysteriously became slow around mid-season

Because Flavio Briatore probably...

[bjohnsonsmith]

McLaren considering historical papaya orange for 2018. Maybe that will help?

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/132541

[Aysedasi]

Worth at least a second a lap......

[insane014]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Worth at least a second a lap......

McLaren is on route to be the first car on the grid without power unit. They will gain the speeds purely on their chassis magic and gravity put into math equation. After all did you see that qualy lap from Alonso on Texas powertrack? They've ultimately ousted the engines lack of everything on straights and fast corners with heavenly chassis tune up

[loon]

It would be seriously funny if McLaren ended up with the worst performing engine again next season

[RWill2073]

It is amazing, the timing of the engine switch announcement and the sudden improvement with the McLaren/Honda package.

Since Alonso is involved, I expect the voodoo to get on Renault and Honda to turn dominant.

[S griffin]

Well shame it’s taken this long. Still too much of the season wasted

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by RWill2073

It is amazing, the timing of the engine switch announcement and the sudden improvement with the McLaren/Honda package.

Since Alonso is involved, I expect the voodoo to get on Renault and Honda to turn dominant.

It's not much of an improvement if they still can't finish races.

[Armco Bender]

NO.....they can't compete.

[S griffin]

Well after looking like they had been a bit too hasty in dumping Honda on Saturday, they were justified again on Sunday. It's simply been not good enough

[Armco Bender]

Alonso must be beside himself with joy at the thoughts of a Renault engine next season..

[GT6]

I thought Maclaren would use Renault engines next year, but after watching the renault engines yesterday they must be thinking frying oan or fire, however max did have one in his car so perhaps?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Armco Bender

Alonso must be beside himself with joy at the thoughts of a Renault engine next season..

At least the McLaren shouldn't get blown off up the straights so easily... just on the pit entrance...