Ricciardo: 'McLaren would be faster with any other engine'

©WRI2

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo reckons the McLaren MCL32 chassis would fare much better with any other engine than a Honda.

The Aussie has witnessed up close the efficiency of the Woking-based outfit's 2017 design whose efficiency appears to be inversely proportional to that of its disappointing power unit.

"Unfortunately Honda has not been able to make McLaren's car fast with these engines," Ricciardo told the Spanish daily Marca.

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"So I think if they put in a Renault engine or anything else, they will automatically be faster because the car itself looks very good.

"They should be stronger next year," he said.

Ricciardo perhaps states the obvious, but the Honey Badger would still like nothing more than to see Fernando Alonso join the fight at the front.

"I really like Fernando and respect him a lot as a driver," adds Ricciardo.

"I would like to see him suffering less on the track and in a top car. It would be great to have him as a teammate one day -- him or Hamilton. I'd love that."

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.