McLaren-Honda 'back on the right path' - Boullier

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McLaren racing director Eric Boullier finally had some encouraging words for Honda, the team's problematic engine partner which has felt the heat more often than not this season.

While the relationship between the two parties remains strained ,and with doubts over its future still lingering, Boullier was quick to acknowledge the Japanese manufacturer's latest efforts and the benefits of its latest 'Spec-Three' engine update.

Fernando Alonso sampled the improved power unit in Baku, but both McLaren drivers have the new engine at their disposal in Austria this weekend.

"It is just an evolution on the engine but clearly there is more performance coming out of the engine so we are going faster and getting more power with better usage of the engine," Boullier said.

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"This engine is a performance step compared to the other engines we used before. I think it is a three-year project that started from very far from where we would like to be.

"We had a bit of a setback at the beginning of the season but I think we can see now we are back on the right path to get back to the front which is where we want to be."

Honda F1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa was equally satisfied with the unit's performance which ran smoothly for both drivers in Friday's free practice sessions.

"First of all we are happy we have no issues today as the cars have been running, which is very good," Hasegawa said.

"It is early to say about car performance with just a Friday practice but so far it looks nice."

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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.