Nerves and speed in Barcelona F1

MCLAREN has endured a nightmare start to the Formula One pre-season. Engine problems forced two stoppages on the last of Barcelona trials, an enormous embarrassment with the new MCL 32 under intense scrutiny.

That Honda supplied the engines will come as little surprise to fans, who have watched McLaren’s shaky starts since their partnership with the Japanese firm began two years ago.

Fernando Alonso and teammate Stoffel Vandoorme were left furious when electrical problems forced the heavily hyped car to sputter out and head to the pits. Alonso didn’t mince his words and publicly criticised Honda for being ‘unreliable.’

Formula One has spent two weeks in Barcelona ahead of what promises to be an extremely competitive season. Red Bull is set to pose a serious threat to Mercedes and Ferrari with Australian star Daniel Ricciardo proving in Spain that the emergent team is up for a fight.