McLaren – Boullier: We do not have a plan B
The association between McLaren and the Japanese engine manufacturer Honda is based on several years. The team expects a lot from its new partner. That's why the team director, Eric Boullier, acknowledged that there is currently no alternative in case of failure.
17 points after 10 races. Neither of the two cars on the track reached the top 10 in qualifying, and the best result for the team is a 5th place achieved in Hungary by Alonso, mainly thanks to a favorable series of circumstances. A rather modest record for the Woking team, which started the year with much higher ambitions.
However, there are no other solutions than to wait and hope. At least, that’s what Eric Boullier’s words suggest: « We don’t have a plan B, it’s up to us to make everything work. Like in a marriage, there’s always a little bit of stress, but we’re on the same path. The confidence comes from the fact that they are committed for the long term and the structures are extraordinary. »
The Frenchman has already explained that Honda needed time to catch up with the competition. Moreover, it is difficult not to compare their performances with the past, specifically with the period during which McLaren-Honda was dominant, namely between 1988 and 1991. Boullier adds on this subject: « In my opinion, comparing today with the 80s is not relevant since at the time, Honda had teamed up with McLaren after already being present in F1 for five years. Today, they have decided to return, full of enthusiasm, with their resources. But they started working two years ago, and two years is clearly not enough to be competitive. »
Moreover, he also reflected on why Woking decided to drop Mercedes for the Japanese engine manufacturer. « It’s always easy to analyze things in hindsight. The reason we engaged with Honda is clear: when Mercedes wanted to have its own team [from 2010 onwards], we knew we would become customers. As soon as you find yourself in that situation, you never become champions. It’s simple. Collaborating with Honda gives us the possibility to be their works team. »
And finally, if as he assures timing is like marriage, but in the long term, he confesses that in Woking there is a risk of impatience as Honda wants to win someday and McLaren wants to win tomorrow.
