McLaren and Alonso debate the future... if there is one!

It's obviously early days still but McLaren-Honda's Eric Boullier says the team has started talks with its start driver over 2018.

Alonso renewed recently his commitment to the Woking-based outfit recently despite the dismal performance in pre-season testing of partner Honda.

Alonso also reiterated his desire to be on the grid in 2018, although with which team is anybody's guess at this stage.

"People say a lot of things," said Boullier, "but I think Fernando is being honest with us just like we are with him.

"He likes this new F1, and the next step is to be more competitive. If we are competitive, he will be happy."

"It's too soon [to talk about the future]. But of course we have spoken."

• No quick fixes for McLaren-Honda troubles

Boullier himself reckons its MVL32 is a good car, but also admits that if performance fails to improve, Alonso will likely move on to greener pastures.

"I don't know if the engine will be able to compete with Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault, but if we have a good engine we can be competitive," Boullier told Spanish daily AS.

"Otherwise not, it's that simple.

Asked whether McLaren's state of affairs would be different had it stayed with previous partner Mercedes, the Frenchman offered a predictable answer.

"I think so. Yes, we would be winning again."

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