Button, meanwhile, says progress at Jerez was tangible
Tuesday 10 February 2015 10:16, UK
Ron Dennis has no doubts that the reformed McLaren-Honda partnership will overcome the “huge” challenge they face in the build-up to the new season and eventually go on to win World Championship again.
Following a problematic two-day test with the Japanese manufacturer’s new power unit in an interim car at the end of last year, McLaren encountered more teething trouble with the all-new MP4-30 at last week’s opening winter test in Jerez. Across four days in southern Spain, the car was on track for just 79 laps – over 400 laps fewer than world champions Mercedes’ W06, for instance.
However, with Honda returning to F1 with a season of the sport’s new turbo era having already been completed, Dennis says both parties are aware of the task ahead and ready to carry the burden of expectation.
“Honda is a phenomenally committed company and the challenge we face together as we approach the 2015 season is just huge,” the McLaren chairman said.
“Our competitors have had one year’s head start, which again amplifies the challenge. The rules and regulations have never been so complex for the power units.
“As we approach this first Grand Prix, the expectation becomes more intensive. The pressure from our fans, our drivers, our sponsors, the media gets more and more intense – but we are ready for the challenge.”
Dennis, speaking at a Honda press conference in Japan at which drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button also appeared, reiterated confidence that the second incarnation of the partnership would eventually live up to the huge success of the first.
“We will have success because history shows that Honda always succeeds and the Honda-McLaren partnership of the ‘80s is something we intend to reproduce,” he added.
“I hope to be stood [here in Japan] in the not too distant future celebrating the World Championships that I’m very confident we will win together, given some time. The first challenge is to win a first Grand Prix and, in the short term, compete in Australia and finish with the most competitive result that we can possibly have.”
Meanwhile, despite the limited number of laps in southern Spain, Button insisted the progress made by the team both on and off track was tangible and sets them up well for further steps forward at the back-to-back Barcelona tests.
“The first test was a very special one. It was very emotional and a very nice feeling to be working all as one,” said Button, who drove for Honda's works team between 2006 and 2008.
“As we all know, testing is about improvement and, for me, that’s what the first test was. We saw quite a bit of improvement in the way we were working, but also in the direction we’re taking with the car and engine package.
“It really does feel as one and not like a car and an engine – it’s one full package, which is great. So I’m very much looking forward to the next two tests where we’ll make further improvements and hopefully arrive in Melbourne ready for the first race and fight for the best result we possibly can."
The Sky Sports F1 Online team will be providing live commentary from all four days of both Barcelona tests. Sky Sports News HQ will also have live updates from trackside.
