Fernando Alonso accepts the fact that McLaren-Honda will remain in the doldrums until the end of 2015 after suffering yet another engine problem in qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Spaniard had already missed valuable track time because of a power unit issue in FP2. Despite changing the engine, Alonso was again forced to park his troublesome MP4-30 off track after reporting a loss of power in Q1.
“That’s two engine problems so definitely not a good reliability record this year in general but this weekend in particular,” said the 2005/06 world champion.
“The frustration of not being part in qualifying is high, especially after I did not take part in the race in Mexico. It’s a tough period but we need to learn from all our problems, all our mistakes, and try not to repeat next year.”
Asked on how he manages to keep his spirits up in the face of hardship, Alonso added:
“At the end of the day, I know the situation, and you know the situation as well. We’ve been last all season so we will be last here and we’ll be last in Abu Dhabi.
“So if we’re out of Q1 in Abu Dhabi again, it’s not a disappointment any more. It’s just a reality. We know that and need to put things in place for next year.
“Big problems require big actions and that’s what we are doing for next year and I’m still optimistic.
“We’re ready to take all this frustration as a learning curve.”
Thankfully, Alonso’s sense of humour seems to be intact, as highlighted by the Spaniard sunbathing by the track after retiring his car and then climbing onto the podium with team-mate Jenson Button to wave at the fans.
“The weather was beautiful so when I saw the medical car coming I said ‘half an hour later would be better’”, he joked.
“[Then Jenson and I] saw the podium that close and we will not be this close any more this year, so we thought ‘let’s take a picture and at least we have a memory’. Hopefully we’ll be on the actual podium comes March.”
McLaren-Honda has not been last all season since the British team currently occupies ninth position with 27 points in the Constructors' championship, ahead of F1 minnows Manor Marussia.
REPORT: Rosberg takes fifth pole in a row by 0.078s
AS IT HAPPENED: Brazilian Grand Prix - qualifying
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