Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMcLaren

McLaren-Honda running cut short again

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McLaren-Honda's running on the opening day of the second pre-season test has been cut short by an engine issue.

After an encouraging 21 laps to start the day at the Circuit de Catalunya, the MP4-30 remained in the garage for a long spell as the lunch break approached. The team then announced that an issue with the MGU-K required a power unit change, which would prevent the car from getting back out on track on Thursday.

Honda confirmed that a faulty seal on the MGU-K requires a redesign, which would prevent a replacement part being manufactured before Saturday's running.

Jenson Button had been at the wheel of the car on Thursday and was due to drive again on Friday, but McLaren has altered its schedule to see Fernando Alonso in the car on day two and Button driving again on Saturday instead.

The issue follows a frustrating first test for McLaren at Jerez, with just 79 laps possible in total over the first four days.

Follow live coverage of the second test here.

Click here for the gallery from day one of the second test

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.