Electrical issue forces another engine change at McLaren-Honda

Seven and counting, that's the number of engines used by McLaren-Honda since testing got underway last week in Barcelona!

The team will replace Stoffel Vandoorne's power unit following electrical issues this morning which limited McLaren's running to just 34 laps on Day 5.

Honda have decided to mount a fresh unit at the back of the Belgian's MCL32.

"We detected an electrical issue with the PU in Stoffel's car," specified a Honda statement.

"In the interest of maximising track time, we opted to replace it and investigate the issue further once the PU [power unit] is out of the car.

"The PU we are using today is the same spec as the PU run last week at test one."

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Reliability woes have put Honda's engineering unit into overtime at its Sakura headquarters in Japan, as the manufacturer works to overcome the engine's apparent weakness.

With just over two weeks until the opening Australian Grand Prix, the situation has obviously generated worries in the McLaren camp, was a lack of running hindering its development programme.

"It's frustrating for everybody," admitted McLaren racing director Eric Boullier.

"When you don't have a lot of days of testing you want to make the most of it. It's frustrating for Stoffel and for us as well.

"The less we run, the less we learn the cars and the more we run behind on our development programme."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.