Honda motorsport boss Yasuhisa Arai wants McLaren to be able to target regular points in upcoming races before chasing podium finishes.
Jenson Button finished eighth in the Monaco Grand Prix to score McLaren’s first points of 2015, giving Honda its first top ten finish since it returned as engine supplier at the start of this season. Arai says it was important for McLaren to capitalise on the opportunity in Monaco and doesn’t see Honda’s progress slowing any time soon.
“I feel that we have started, finally,” Arai said. “That’s my feeling.
“Every race we will take step by step and I hope the next races will show more progress. Finally we can catch up and score some good places and go to the podium. That’s what I wish and maybe we can do it.”
With both Button and team-mate Fernando Alonso running in the top ten before the latter retired, Arai highlights the engine driveability as the area where Honda made the biggest gains ahead of Monaco.
“We made it very suitable and appropriate in terms of driveability for the special Monaco race track. Horsepower is not so important, especially wide open throttle. Using partial throttle is a very sensitive area and we made good driveability for Jenson and Fernando, they got a good feeling.
“In the race, especially in the first half, there was very good pace for both drivers but unfortunately Fernando had some issues. Jenson had a good race for us and I’m very happy.”
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