McLaren to test gearbox fix in Japanese GP F1 practice

McLaren plans to test a gearbox solution in Japanese Grand Prix Formula 1 practice that it hopes will cure the overheating problem Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso suffered in Singapore

The duo had the pace for points at Marina Bay, as the low-speed nature of the circuit suited their car, but McLaren came away without points for the 10th time in 13 races.

"Last week in Singapore we retired with an overheating gearbox," said Alonso.

"We study, we come up with solutions and we test those solutions tomorrow in the free practice."

McLaren has scored just 17 points this season, leaving it ninth in the constructors' championship, more than 446 behind leader Mercedes.

Alonso conceded McLaren-Honda should be under fire for that kind of form but he insisted the team is doing all it can to improve.

"We should be criticised, that is understandable but from the team point of view we can only do what we can do," said Alonso, ahead of Honda's home race at Suzuka.

"Everyone is doing 100 per cent of their ability. We need to learn lessons.

"It's not the time to separate which ones have the problem.

"Sometimes it will be the power unit, sometimes it will be the driver.

"We are a team and we have to deliver the best we can.

"We need to improve in areas not only in the performance and reliability, but also the procedures, starts, pitstops, during Singapore there was a very long one for Jenson.

"So things there are things that we need to fix, we are not fighting for world championships.

"It's a time that we can take the opportunity to fix many things around the performance."

Team-mate Jenson Button added: "This is an important time for Honda.

"They will give everything to win the world championship - I know they're working flat out.

"I don't think anybody can put a time on how long it will take but hopefully one day we'll see the president of Honda stood on the podium again."