Programme

The final day of a tricky but promising week of testing in Jerez, Spain.

Despite a number of frustrating issues, the team still managed a number of long runs today, and was able to incorporate a compressed programme of aerodynamic testing into the day.

After the installation lap, Jenson had a small oil-level problem, which sidelined the car for an hour; in the afternoon, the team ended the day early after encountering an issue that was initially attributed to a fuel-pump. We later discovered it to be a fuel-related spark/ignition issue – the precise cause of which we’re yet to pinpoint, so chose to end our day’s running in order to fully analyse it.

Despite not completing the mileage we’d hoped for at the start of the week, we still leave Jerez with a sizeable amount of useful data – and are satisfied that MP4-30 is performing much as we expected.

Operationally, the crews from McLaren and Honda have also developed their trackside integration, and we’ll take that momentum into the next test – at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, on February 19-22.

TODAY’S UNOFFICIAL TESTING TIMES

MATT MORRIS – McLaren-Honda engineering director

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a few issues this week – all of which have been pretty small – but cumulatively they meant we were stuck in the garage for quite some time. Still, our prime objective coming away from this test was to ascertain that the main car architecture worked, and we’ve done that. One of the great benefits we’ve had in designing this car is the amount of work we’ve been able to undertake in close collaboration with Honda – particularly in terms of packaging. 

“In tandem with that, we’ve really been helped by Mobil 1 – they designed a bespoke engine oil for us that’s been optimised around the Honda power unit. That meant we were really able to push the limit on packaging and installation because we’ve had the confidence of knowing the cooling limits of the rear end, and the transmission. The result is a beautifully packaged piece of kit, and it’s an area around which we’ll continue to push development throughout the season.”

“Today, we had a couple of stoppages, but we were still able to get on with our aero progamme – obtaining correlation data for the guys back at the factory, just so we can check that everything’s working as we expected.

“Additionally, Jenson’s been able to give Honda some really good feedback – he’s been constantly providing analysis after every run. That’s to be expected: it’s a new power unit, so there’s a lot of information that being sent back to Japan, and Honda are constantly upgrading the car.

“We head to Barcelona hopeful of further refining and developing the package.”

YASUHISA ARAI – Honda R&D senior managing officer – chief officer of motorsport

“Looking back at the first four days of testing, I’m both happy and relieved that we’ve been able to get the car here and watch it run on the track – it’s a new car and a new power unit, so a huge undertaking for many people in both Sakura and Woking. I’m proud of all their efforts.

“Of course, we’d anticipated there would be issues – this is a test, after all – but the difficulties we faced here were more than we’d expected, so we weren’t able to get the running time we’d ideally wanted. Nonetheless, Fernando and Jenson’s feedback has been positive and comprehensive – they’ve given us some very good information.

“There’s now an incredible amount of positivity within the organisation. We’ll return to the track in Barcelona – with some modifications – and will be stronger at the next two tests.

“I’m extremely pleased to see Honda back where it belongs – in Formula 1.”

What’s next

 Our crews disperse around the globe – Woking, Milton Keynes, Tokyo and Sakura – before reuniting for the Barcelona test at the end of the month.

Test dates

Four days (February 1-4)

Programme

After two tricky days, the team turned a corner this morning, managing 32 trouble-free laps around Jerez, which enabled us to put our first serious miles on both the MP4-30 and the RA615H power unit.

Some fantastic work from the night-shift mechanics ensured Fernando was able to take to the track as soon as the session started; and, after a couple of exploratory installation laps and aero checks, we were able to ramp up his programme, extending the length of each run.

Despite only running on a damp track, and using Pirelli’s Intermediate tyres, Fernando put in a decent number of laps until he was side-lined before lunch.

He had just begun a timed run when he felt something awry with the car – he returned the car to the garage, where we discovered a loss of cooling water pressure. Fixing the issue required the removal of the power unit – a lengthy change that we couldn’t have completed in time for the car to return to the track today.

Nevertheless, it’s a fixable problem, and we’ll get things replaced ahead of Jenson’s final run in the car tomorrow.

ERIC BOULLIER – Racing director, McLaren-Honda

“Jenson’s final lap last night made us all feel happier, because we felt we’d cured the issues that had affected us on Sunday and Monday. This morning, it was a relief to see the car get out of the garage at 9am, and run without problems for several hours.

“Fernando’s comments were very positive, too: he said the car was reacting well to changes, and felt stable. Operationally, we’ve already covered everything in our programme, but what’s even more positive is that we’ve been able to carry out a number of longer runs. They’ve shown us that the car doesn’t have any conceptual or architectural issues.

“It’s good to see that the car is effectively able to run straight out of the box, without any major issues. That’s the most positive point of the day.”

TODAY’S UNOFFICIAL TESTING TIMES

What’s next

Final day of the test; Jenson resumes driving duties.

Test dates

Four days (February 1-4)

Programme

Today was another day of limited running for the team. Despite a concerted effort overnight to rectify the issues that had limited progress yesterday, our first run this morning once again brought a problem to the surface.

The engineers duly attempted to fix matters throughout the morning, carrying out a number of installation runs, but were not able to arrive at a definitive cure. Before the lunch break, therefore, they elected to investigate the situation even more deeply, thereby uncovering a small ancillary issue that they believed to be the root cause of the trouble.

The fix took most of the afternoon to effect, resulting in Jenson’s running just a single additional lap at the end of the day, which we believe indeed proved to have cured the issue.

We are therefore hopeful of beginning afresh tomorrow, without a recurrence of the issue. 

TODAY’S UNOFFICIAL TESTING TIMES

JENSON BUTTON 

“We expected this test to be tricky – and the next two days probably won’t be plain sailing, either. But people have short memories . Look at last winter – the first test of 2014 was very tough for everyone too.

“So there are no real worries at the moment. We’re just hopeful we’ve solved our issue – the last run of the day seems to have sorted the problem out, so I hope tomorrow will be a little easier. It’d be nice to get some laps on the engine, and to begin to find out where we are in terms of engine driveability and car development.

“This is a very complicated power unit, but its packaging is unbelievable – very tight – and we haven’t had any temperature issues. That’s a massive positive for us, so well done to Honda for that. 

“There’s a very positive atmosphere about the place: the team isn’t McLaren and Honda, it’s McLaren-Honda. It’s everyone together.”

YASUHISA ARAI – Honda R&D senior managing officer – chief officer of motorspor

“Today was another tricky day, but we feel like we’ve overcome the main issue that affected our running during the first two days of the test.

“Despite our lack of mileage, it’s been a important learning process for our engineers, who’ve really started to develop a close working relationship with everybody at McLaren – that’s a big positive.

“For tomorrow, we’re hopeful that we’ve moved on, and that we can get some more laps completed.”

What’s next

Fernando returns to the cockpit for his second and final day of the test. 

Test dates

Four days (February 1-4)

Programme

After conducting shakedowns with our interim MP4-29H/1X1 at Silverstone and Yas Marina Circuit last November, today marked the first time that the McLaren-Honda chassis and power unit had run together as a bespoke combination, in the sleek and tightly packaged MP4-30.

After a successful fire-up, the morning was spent conducting a number of single-lap installation runs, which were gradually increased in length, concluding in a three-lap run at lunchtime.

However, the programme ended early after the engineers and mechanics were unable to resolve a technical issue in time for the car to resume running for the rest of the day.

TODAY’S UNOFFICIAL TESTING TIMES

FERNANDO ALONSO 

“Given the complexity of modern Formula 1 machinery, the sorts of issues we encountered today weren’t too surprising. They’re just the things you experience on the first day of a Formula 1 test. But it’s been a fantastic day for me: to have the privilege to drive the car for the first time – for the comeback of McLaren and Honda after 23 years – makes me feel extremely proud.

“Obviously, I don’t really have a feeling for the car yet – I only did a handful of laps, and most of those were at slow speed, conducting preliminary checks – so I need a bit more time to be able to speak accurately about it. But everything seems to be responding well, and showing us what we expected.

“We have a lot still to learn, but let’s not forget how tough it was for a lot of teams last year. It’ll be no different for us. Every lap we do, we learn something, so hopefully we’ll arrive in Australia with a good understanding of the car.

“So far, everything feels very exciting – there are a lot of positive emotions inside the garage for everybody, and I’m very happy to be part of this project.”

ERIC BOULLIER – Racing director, McLaren Mercedes

“Today was a challenging day, which was not surprising to us given that our car has been designed to a radical all-new size-zero philosophy. In fact, we’re still in the process of analysing this afternoon’s technical issues, systematically and methodically, in an effort to increase our mileage in the coming days.

“What’s particularly encouraging is the way that McLaren’s and Honda’s technicians and engineers are already working so well together – collaborating seamlessly in their shared ambition to nail a revolutionary new car’s inevitable developmental gremlins as soon as possible.

“Tonight will be arduous and sleepless, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Bring it on!”

YASUHISA ARAI – Honda R&D senior managing officer – chief officer of motorsport

“We had a good, steady, checking, lap-by-lap session this morning, and received good feedback from MP4-30.

 “This is the first shakedown of our radically designed car, so we expected to encounter a few issues, and we look forward to doing longer runs in the near future.

We’ll conduct an intensive analysis of the car tonight in a bid to address the issues that affected our first day’s running. Jenson will have his first taste of MP4-30.

Test dates

Four days (February 1-4)