Dennis says he shares Alonso's frustrations
McLaren chairman Ron Dennis says he shares Fernando Alonso's frustration at the team's lack of pace right now, but says it is a price that must be paid if it is going to win in Formula 1 again.
Photo by: McLaren
Alonso spoke out on the team radio during the Japanese Grand Prix to say that the performance of his Honda engine was 'embarrassing' and comparable to GP2.
Although the manner of his remarks, which were broadcast to millions of fans around the world, did not impress Dennis, the team chief says he does understand why Alonso feels the way he does.
"That is just frustration," said Dennis.
"Anything that is coming out of our drivers at the moment has its origins in frustration and disappointment and demotivation.
"We are all demotivated."
Works shot essential
Honda has had a difficult time getting on top of reliability and performance this year, and knows that it needs to make architectural changes to the power unit if it is going to make a good step forward in 2016.
Dennis said that McLaren was always aware that teaming up with Honda could produce early frustrations, but says having a manufacturer alliance is the only way that success can be achieved in F1.
"I still cannot understand why everyone doesn't appreciate the simple fact that you are not going to win the world championship if you have a second string engine," he explained.
"It is just not going to happen. And therefore we have to go through the pain, go through this learning curve and get a competitive engine.
"That is not a derogatory comment against Honda. Honda had the president of company, the president of R&D, the president of Honda Motor Company, all of these people [at the Japanese GP] and they were totally committed.
"They understand what has to be done and of course they are resourcing and increasing resources and putting more money and effort in to it, and we will get there.
"It is just a bit painful at the moment. But we will get there."
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Audi a player, not a spectator, in F1 driver market - Sauber
Mercedes joins Williams and RB with 'quick and cheap' F1 cockpit airflow upgrades
Why F1 2026 worst-case fears could be key to new rules success
Alonso: Stroll more sensitive to Aston F1 car handling issues I drive around
Aston Martin ‘not convinced’ Alonso would definitely want to stay in F1
Suzuka sensation redeemed Alonso, but his F1 future is complicated
Norris: McLaren can win races in F1 2024 if it gets everything right
McLaren F1 team bracing for "damage limitation" in Chinese GP
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Audi a player, not a spectator, in F1 driver market - Sauber
F1 live: Chinese GP sprint qualifying as it happens
Mercedes joins Williams and RB with 'quick and cheap' F1 cockpit airflow upgrades
Alpine gets F1 spare car for first time as lighter chassis appears
Why F1 2026 worst-case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments