F1 News, Reports and Race Results

McLaren chassis better than Ferrari - Boullier

McLaren-Honda racing director Eric Boullier claims the MP4-31 chassis is better than the Ferrari SF16-H, and believes this can help the British team beat the Italian outfit at next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

With the narrow streets of Monte Carlo putting less emphasis on outright power, McLaren has been seen as a contender for a strong result in the Principality, especially after coming off back-to-back points finishes in Russia and Spain.

Talking to Autosport, Boullier reckons his team has the potential to be the fourth fastest squad around Circuit de Monaco. “On paper we could be between six and eight, I think”, the Frenchman said.

However, Boullier does not include the Scuderia in the leading trio of his own Monaco power rankings.

“Ferrari, not sure,” he replied when told that McLaren would thus be slotting behind Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. “Not sure Ferrari is a threat. Red Bull, definitely, Toro Rosso, who have quite a good car, and Mercedes.”

Honda’s travails since its 2015 return to F1 have been well-documented. The Japanese manufacturer has made noticeable progress this year, though Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button remains off the front-running pace.

However, Boullier is confident the last two Peter Prodromou-designed McLaren chassis have been top-three calibre, even more so this season.

“Last year we were third, but close with Williams and Ferrari.

“Now it is Mercedes, Red Bull, ourselves, then Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Williams.

“They are clearly behind now.”

McLaren-Honda scored its first points of 2015 at Monaco, with Button finishing eighth at the world’s most famous street circuit.

Jacques Villeneuve - Race of my life

Technical analysis: Barcelona

Exclusive Stoffel Vandoorne Q&A

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

12 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

13 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

15 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

16 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

18 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

19 hours ago