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McLaren insists no risk of Alonso meltdown

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier insists there is no risk of his team's relationship with Fernando Alonso going into meltdown, despite the Spaniard's Montreal radio outburst.

Eric Boullier, McLaren Racing Director with Fernando Alonso, McLaren

Eric Boullier, McLaren Racing Director with Fernando Alonso, McLaren

XPB Images

Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30
Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30
Felipe Massa, Williams FW37 and Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30 battle for position
Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30
Fernando Alonso, McLaren on the drivers parade
Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30 makes a pit stop
Fernando Alonso, McLaren with Eric Boullier, McLaren Racing Director
Fernando Alonso, McLaren

Alonso expressed his frustration at the need for fuel saving in the Canadian Grand Prix when he told the team he didn't enjoy looking like an 'amateur' by having to slow down.

"I don't want, I don't want," said Alonso on the radio. "I have really big problems now, driving with these and looking like amateurs

"So I race and then I concentrate on the fuel."

A testing year

That radio message was the first sign of public frustration from Alonso about the lack of progress being made by McLaren-Honda.

And, with his last spell at McLaren back in 2007 ending in acrimony, there have already been suggestions that if things do not improve quickly then the situation could deteriorate.

But Boullier says he is relaxed about the situation, and reckons that Alonso, who eventually retired with an exhaust problem, is prepared to bide his time for now.

When asked if he was worried Alonso could turn in to a rebel, Boullier said: "If we are still like this next year, then yes, of course, I'm sure he is going to turn mad, but I don't think he will.

"You guys see him regularly and you can see he is happy with the team, happy where he is now.

"He wants to win, he wants to race, he wants to compete, he is a winner, and we have the same agenda anyway.

"He told me the other day he is considering this year a test year just to be ready for next year.

"At least he doesn't put himself in a corner or a situation where he would feel frustrated."

Message for Honda

Boullier did not think the time had arrived where his drivers were frustrated, but did suggest there was a growing desire for more progress to be made.

"It is true that today there was a lot of fuel saving and not maybe easy to accept for the drivers," he said.

"It is not frustration; but maybe some impatience for sure. It is true that we need to fix these issues."

When it was suggested to him that perhaps Alonso's commented were a message for Honda, Boullier said: "I don't know, ask him, but it's very likely, yes."

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