Alonso clings to hopes of improvement before Australia

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Despite a final day of running in Barcelona marked by more gloomy reliability issues, Fernando Alonso is holding on to hopes of improvement at McLaren-Honda before the team sets foot in Australia.

The Woking-based outfit launched its 2017 campaign in fanfare with a change of color and denomination, and a rekindled motivation.

But it's performance on the race track in Barcelona was nothing but disappointment, with frustration and doubt now permeating through the team, starting with its star driver FernandoAlosno.

Hope isn't a strategy but Alonso is holding on to his wishful thinking, believing resolutions can be applied between now and when the lights go green in Melbourne.

"It was a disappointing way to end the test, as we weren't able to make the most of the final day of running," Alonso lamented

"The morning started positively and we were working well through our programme, until the car lost power in the corner and shut off, so I had to park it.

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The team managed to send Alonso back out, but the MCL32 expired again after just a handful of laps which to further changes during the lunch break.

"I'm pleased we were able to get going again in the afternoon – we wanted to use all the track time we could – as every single lap we do is useful for our learning.

"It's clear we have a lot of preparation ahead of us to be ready in time for Melbourne. I know the team is working hard and we'll be able to find more answers once we get the car back to the factory.

"I'm hopeful we'll be able to make the next step we need to be ready for Australia."

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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.