Alonso searches in vain for good memories of Honda

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Fernando Alonso admits he would be hard pressed to remember a few good memories of McLaren's three-year partnership with Honda.

In 2015, the Woking-based outfit's relationship with the Japanese manufacturer was initially seen as a resurgence of the pair's formidable success which it enjoyed in the late 1980s.

But ultimately, the association was a disaster as Honda struggled to get on top of F1's hybrid technology and deliver a powerful and reliable product.

Asked in Abu Dhabi if he had but a single fond memory of the painful three-year period with Honda, Alonso searched in vain.

"It's difficult to pick out one race because obviously the performance was never there," he said.

"Even the P5 in Monaco last year was still not as fun as it should be.

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"What I do take from the last three years is the commitment and the spirit of the team," he added.

"There was not a single person giving up with the performance we had. That is the lesson I will keep for longer."

Once again, the Spaniard defended his choice of leaving Ferrari to join what he thought would become a strong McLaren-Honda effort.

"I personally had a lot of expectations for the McLaren-Honda project," he admitted.

"That was probably the reason I changed from Ferrari because McLaren-Honda was a very attractive partnership after the success they had in the past.

"But we didn't achieve the results we wanted in the last three years, we didn't perform as we expect so I think now it's time to change."

Speaking of change, Alonso is confident his new McLaren-Renault package will put team and driver back where they belong, with the front-runners.

"I'm quite optimistic, seeing what Red Bull is doing right now with the Renault power unit," he said

"It's still missing a little bit but overall you fight for podiums and race wins, and that's a very different picture to what we have right now at McLaren.

"I consider Renault my friends and second family so it will be great. They are a very, very good company and have a very good engine. I have zero doubts."

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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.