McLaren-Honda really can be the surprise package of the 2017 Formula 1 season. It's a bold claim. Some might call it daft.
McLaren is sixth in the 2016 constructors' championship with one tenth of leader Mercedes' tally. That's a huge gap in performance and one that is unlikely to be closed entirely next year, but that's not to say McLaren's rivals should not be fearful heading into 2017.
A lack of power and unreliability from Honda made the alliance's first year back together in 2015 feel like a bad dream. But hard work over the winter paid off and when this year's car hit the track in pre-season testing, there was a sense of relief, surprise even, at how things had turned around.