McLaren racing director Eric Boullier is hoping the team’s “extreme” new car can rack up the miles over the remaining two tests if they are to head into the new Formula One season on a competitive footing.
Over the four days of the initial pre-season test in Jerez last week drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button completed a total of just 79 laps. With new power-unit partner Honda on board, McLaren were anticipating teething problems, and so it proved as there were numerous issues to contend with.
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Boullier appreciates for the remaining two tests at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona from February 19-22 and February 26-March 1, McLaren now have to ensure they do not languish too far behind their rivals come the opening race in Australia on March 15.
“With a new concept and engine partner, obviously the less we run the more difficult it’s going to be to catch up, or let’s say, the later we will be ready to compete,” said Boullier.
“Every time we can’t achieve all our targets in terms of mileage or development we push back the date where we are able to exploit 100 per cent of our car and our power unit to fight for the win.”
Of the new car, he added: “You can see yourself, the back end of the car is quite amazing.
“We have pushed the limit of the cooling, which means we can run hotter engines with smaller radiators and cooling system. All this has resulted in a tinier car, one that is very extreme in terms of how small it is.”