Honda will deliver in 2017 - Alonso

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Fernando Alonso has complete faith in Honda's ability to deliver a competitive power unit in 2017, and is hoping McLaren will produce an equally good chassis.

McLaren's 2016 season saw substantial progress compared to the deplorable level of performance seen by the team in 2016. But Honda's power unit, while showing much improved reliability, still remains at a fair distance from its Mercedes and Ferrari counterparts in terms of sheer output.

In order to fill the performance gap, the Japanese manufacturer will introduce a new unit in 2017 which Alonso believes will enable McLaren to raise its game by another few notches.

"After struggling a lot last year we found ourselves in a position that we are enjoying and competing with the midfield cars," he said.

"Next year we want to do the final step and fighting for much more than this. I think we have a great opportunity with the new rules, because everything will mix. If we are able to produce a quick car from race one we have a chance to do well.

"On the engine side I think we learn a lot this year, much more than last year because last year it was about making the power unit survive a weekend -- we had to make it last until the chequered flag.

"It was down on power, down on batteries, down on reliability, down on everything, so it was difficult to learn because it was just to make it run.

"This year I think we are fine-tuning the engine a lot more so I think the knowledge this year will pay off even more next year with the power unit."

But power is only one part of the engine-chassis-driver equation, and McLaren's 2017 contender, built along the lines of a massive regulation change, will also have to be up to the task.

"The big question mark is the new rules, the new aerodynamics and on that I am also confident because McLaren is a big team with a lot of resources, with a lot of possibilities so I think it's looking good for next year and I'm looking forward."

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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.