Alonso: McLaren can be fourth in 2016 and develop for 2017 F1 rules
Fernando Alonso believes McLaren has the potential to both claim fourth in the 2016 constructors' championship and focus on the major change required for the 2017 Formula 1 season
After finishing ninth last year, the worst position in its illustrious history, McLaren is making progress this season and is currently seventh, 57 points behind fourth-placed Williams.
Alonso sees no reason why McLaren cannot become the best of the rest behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull this year, although he recognises the challenges given the need at some point to fully concentrate on development for 2017.
Asked whether McLaren could end up fourth, Alonso replied: "I think so. I think at some circuits we could be more competitive than others.
"But it's a different situation because next year the regulation change has some implications in terms of how much you develop this year's cars.
"If we were in a normal situation we could keep improving and finish close to the top three teams.
"But next year's regulations require a job to do, and all the teams will stop the development of this year's cars and maybe we will get stuck at this performance level for the second part of the year.
"Let's see, but what is clear we are growing, we are moving in the right direction, with a lot of things coming this year that will make us more and more competitive.
"If we want to beat Mercedes, which has been the main goal for me the last two years when I made some decisions, I'm in the right place and hopefully the right moment."
Alonso feels McLaren has the resources in terms of finances and manpower to continue to develop on two fronts for both this year and next.
"Definitely you have some areas you have an advantage this year and next year, like on the fuel, the power unit, in some aspects also on the mechanical side of the car," added Alonso.
"We need to combine these two things, and also for the team it's important this year to finish as high as possible in the constructors' championship.
"It's not that you can stop completely this year, so we will try to do both things.
"We are a big a team and we are able to do both at the same time."
CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
| Pos | Constructor | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 223 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 147 |
| 3 | Red Bull/Renault | 130 |
| 4 | Williams/Mercedes | 81 |
| 5 | Force India/Mercedes | 42 |
| 6 | Toro Rosso/Ferrari | 32 |
| 7 | McLaren/Honda | 24 |
| 8 | Haas/Ferrari | 22 |
Lewis Hamilton stunned by speed of 2016 F1 title battle turnaround
Red Bull F1 boss Horner says Mercedes right to let drivers fight
McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong
McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong
Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes
Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes
How Hamilton has battled his own mentality
How Hamilton has battled his own mentality How Hamilton has battled his own mentality
Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP
Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP
The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri
The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri
The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status
The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status
McLaren tips Mercedes to “jump back” strongly in F1 2024
McLaren tips Mercedes to “jump back” strongly in F1 2024 McLaren tips Mercedes to “jump back” strongly in F1 2024
McLaren: No shortcut for Piastri in understanding F1 tyre deg challenge
McLaren: No shortcut for Piastri in understanding F1 tyre deg challenge McLaren: No shortcut for Piastri in understanding F1 tyre deg challenge
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
WRC Chile: Five things you may have missed
WRC Chile: Five things you may have missed WRC Chile: Five things you may have missed
Why the FIA’s traffic busting stance may prove tricky for cold Las Vegas
Why the FIA’s traffic busting stance may prove tricky for cold Las Vegas Why the FIA’s traffic busting stance may prove tricky for cold Las Vegas
Meyer Shank Racing to pause IMSA programme in 2024 but plans comeback
Meyer Shank Racing to pause IMSA programme in 2024 but plans comeback Meyer Shank Racing to pause IMSA programme in 2024 but plans comeback
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas
F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.