McLaren: Eric Boullier claims to have “a lot of performance in the wind tunnel”
Despite a double podium in Melbourne, McLaren's performances have left observers doubtful since. However, despite a lackluster Chinese performance, Eric Boullier is confident that the aerodynamic work done at the factory will quickly bear fruit.
After a thunderous start to the season in Australia, both McLarens were on the podium with Daniel Ricciardo’s disqualification. But since then, the performances of the Woking team have deteriorated from race to race to the point that, during the Chinese Grand Prix, neither car was in the points.
Interviewed by *Autosport*, Éric Boullier, McLaren’s racing director, is not overly concerned about these underperformances. According to him, the reaction should be swift with the integration of new aerodynamics developments.
When asked if he thinks the progress made at the factory would be enough for McLaren to rejoin the battle behind Mercedes, Boullier asserts: « Absolutely. It’s 100% certain because we already know, at the factory, what will happen over the next three or four races. I am aware of what’s going on, so I know we have a very good development pace. What we have learned over the past few weeks is good. Very good. »
If we are to believe the Frenchman, the English team should be able to fight at the front from the start of the European season. Indeed, he hopes that it will come as soon as possible. We have already found a lot of performance in the wind tunnel. At the factory, it’s very good. We just need to prepare everything and ship it to the circuit.
About McLaren’s ambitions to become a winning team again, the French manager claims not to be worried: « Two years ago, they were winning races, so no panic. It’s not because a few guys left that the car doesn’t work anymore. »
The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, the first European Grand Prix of the season, which will take place in just under three weeks, is considered by many as the true benchmark for gauging the hierarchy of competing forces. Only then will we know if Éric Boullier’s statements are confirmed.
