F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Brown: 'Now we've got to finish where we start tomorrow'

The McLaren  camp was bursting with joy when the checkered flag fell on this afternoon's qualifying session and Fernando Alonso remarkable P7 achievement.

Anyone unfamiliar with the team's distressed state of affairs or oblivious of the timesheet would have perhaps deduced from the fanfare that the Spanish driver had just secured pole position for his home race.

But the performance simply highlights what has been a painful season to date for McLaren-Honda.

"What a lap!" enthused McLaren executive Zak Brown.

"The team's doing a great job, Eric and the whole crew, just fantastic. And Fernando at home, he did it.  Now we've got to finish where we start tomorrow, or better!"

Alonso's failure yesterday in FP1 when his Honda engine expired after just three corners inflicted more griping pain on McLaren and its driver.

But today's result is a testimony to the team's ability to regroup and get going again, insists Brown.

"I might go play some tennis tonight if that brings some good luck," Brown told Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz, referring to Alonso heading for the courts yesterday to evacuate his frustrations.

"You can't give up. This is Formula 1, it's tough, but this is good, this is good for the team. I'm very happy."

Win the ULTIMATE TRACKDAY with F1i.com!

GALLERY: All the action from Barcelona on Friday

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

 

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.

Recent Posts

Sad Colapinto laments two crashes in one day in Sao Paulo

Williams suffered a bruising time on Sunday in Sao Paulo, with Alex Albon unable to…

33 mins ago

McLaren: No regrets over timing of Norris pit stop in Sao Paulo GP

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has insisted that the squad has no regrets about their…

2 hours ago

Williams' Boutsen hoists the mainsail in Adelaide

On this day in 1989, Williams' Thierry Boutsen secured his second F1 win when he…

3 hours ago

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

4 hours ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

5 hours ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

7 hours ago