26-11-2015, 14:56
McLaren to test more 2016 parts in Abu Dhabi
McLaren will use the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi to continue to develop its car for 2016.
The team looks set to record its worst result in the constructors' championship in 25 years this weekend, as it appears destined to finish ninth in the standings behind Sauber. The return of Honda power has rendered the MP4-30 unreliable and under-powered this season, making the competitiveness of the chassis hard to pinpoint.
Racing director Eric Boullier says work on the car will continue over the final round of the season in order to give the team the best possible platform for success in 2016.
"Although it is the last race of the season, our development has not stopped, and we are still bringing new parts and design elements to the car for the final grand prix," Boullier said. "Our development is constant and we place huge importance on learning at every opportunity.
"All of our efforts this weekend will be beneficial to next year's car, and it's essential that we maximise the final sessions of the year, not only to end the season on a high, but to use the invaluable information we can glean from them and channel it into tangible progress over the winter period."
Honda's F1 boss Yasuhisa Arai says the power unit has come a long way since its debut in last year's post-race Abu Dhabi test, when it completed just five laps in two days of running.
"So much has happened since McLaren-Honda's new beginnings here in Abu Dhabi last year," Arai said. "We have come a long way since that first test, and although we have had a difficult and eventful season in 2015, the team is as united as ever.
"The amount of changes that have gone into both the car and the power units this year with such speed has been incredible. Both Woking and Sakura have been working tirelessly throughout the year, and together with the drivers, their bond has become stronger as the season progressed. I am thankful for all their hard work, and encouraged by their enthusiasm to improve further over the winter."
En Abu Dhabi se centrarán en probar cosas de cara al año que viene.
Y este invierno, se la juegan.
#orgulloALO
"Cuando era niño, soñaba con coches, con olor a gasolina, con viento en la cara, trofeos."
¤ Fernando Alonso ¤