Alonso explains refusal to save fuel
McLaren have had another very difficult race, highlighted by the team's repeated requests to its drivers to save fuel. Alonso wasn't all that happy with that request, suggesting to tackle the race differently via the radio.
Having gained two positions at the start, Alonso lost ground in the first laps due to lacking top speed compared to Mercedes powered cars. About 20 laps into the race, the Spaniard was asked to start saving fuel, even though he was involved in several battles for position.
"No frustration, it was just I had some battles going on, I had to save fuel, save tyres and after three or four reminders I said "first let me race because it is my good motivation now as we have cars around and then at the end if we are on our own we save fuel then'," Alonso clarified after the race.
"There are different parts of the races you require different driving techniques, different fuel saving or tyre saving and in that first part of the race I didn’t agree that it was the time to do that as I had cars around. So I had some fun, I put defensive mode because we were too slow on the straight to pass anyone so it was more defending that attacking, but at least I had some fun and at the end we didn’t need to save any fuel as we didn’t finish the race.”
"But we know the situation, it is what it is, and what we need to do is work harder than ever because we want to change the situation. All the things I see for future races make sense, I see some positive signs that everything that is coming makes sense.”
McLaren Honda partnership needs time
The Spanish ace also reiterated that while the problems are painful and critics are widespread, the team is working hard to get on top of the issues and be competitive sooner rather than later.
"This year we are paying the price of it being the first year and having a lot of things to do, but otherwise I'd be here talking about having finished fifth or sixth.
"I believe in this project. I'm enjoying the experience. Everything I see has coherence and optimistic for the future, which is something I couldn't see before. So, patience."
McLaren's Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso both retired from the Canadian Grand Prix early, both with 'unrelated exhaust issues'.
