F1 News, Reports and Race Results

McLaren no longer running late with 2018 car - Boullier

McLaren's Eric Boullier says the Woking-based outfit is right on schedule with its 2018 car after initially running late in the MCL33's design process.

McLaren's late decision to part ways with engine partner Honda and switch its allegiance to Renault put the team behind by three weeks in the design and manufacturing of its 2018 charger.

A huge round-the-clock effort by the troops at Woking has brought the car back on schedule, says Boullier.

"Changing from Honda to Renault didn't add to the burden," the McLaren racing director told L'Equipe.

"But a different approach was required because the Renault engine has a different configuration. This forced us to redesign part of the car.

"The Renault engine's turbo is a single component while Honda uses elements on both sides of the unit, which in turn impacts weight distribution."

McLaren's relationship with its new partner is a less complicated affair than with Honda, thanks to a common culture more than just the disappearance of the very complex language barrier.

"With Honda, I learned about the difficulties in communicating linked to a different langauage but also a different culture.

"It's not just about translating a message to get it across. The way something is said and when it is said are equally important, especially with the Japanese.

"When we had our first technical meeting with Renault, I insisted on being there, not to control everything but just to help the guys in case they didn't understand something.

"The ice needed to be broken, and today I believe everyone on both sides is happy."

©WRI2

Renault was confronted with reliability woes last season, a state of affairs which has enticed the manufacturer to focus massively on improving the durability of its power unit, an approach which Boullier approves even if a bit of performance is left on the table.

"It's only normal for Renault to give reliability the utmost importance, especially with the introduction this year of the new three-engine limit. I need that reliability.

"In the past three years, McLaren has been missing data related to tyre degradation, brake cooling, fuel consumption.

"Now, we can regain a few habits that we had lost. For example, we're doing pit stop practice once again, something we had temporarily discarded in order to work on the engine."

When questioned about McLaren's return to the forefront of Grand Prix racing or the chances of stepping on to the podium this year, Boullier remains coy.

"It's too early to talk about that. We're not alone and we don't know what our rivals have been up to overt the winter. Let's see what happens in Barcelona."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

1 hour ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

2 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…

2 hours ago

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

3 hours ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

4 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

6 hours ago