McLaren reliability issues have been addressed - Boullier

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McLaren opens a new chapter of its rich history this week in Melbourne, and racing director Eric Boullier says the team has mastered the reliability issues which partly dogged its preparations.

The Woking-based outfit was short if mileage when it left Barcelona ten days ago, with Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne both suffering niggling mechanical issues as they put McLaren's new Renault-powered MCL33 through its paces.

Upon its return to the factory, the team regrouped and worked diligently to correct its troubles.

"With the many developments within our team over the past six months or so, it brings me great excitement and pride to see everything coming together and the new McLaren Renault MCL33 hitting the track in Melbourne," says Boullier.

"We didn’t have the reliability we had hoped for in winter testing, but all the issues we faced have since been addressed back at the factory.

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"There’s a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to ensure we leave no stone unturned in our quest to extract the maximum pace we can from our new package from the first race."

Boullier recognises that McLaren is still very much a work in progress but insists the team will give its all next weekend to kick start its long-awaited resurgence.

“Melbourne is a venue that the whole team loves going back to, to kick off the new season," syas the Frenchman.

"It’s a vibrant city, the fans are incredibly enthusiastic and there’s that palpable ‘back-to-school’ feeling of anticipation, where nobody really knows the form book until the lights go out on Sunday.

"We’re not expecting miracles to be worked overnight – far from it – but what we do know is that we’ll give it our all this weekend."

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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.