McLaren 'sad', 'bad', dangerous to know for race driver

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April 30, 2017 4:26 PM

On Sunday, he was forced to abandon his McLaren Honda car without completing the pre-race formation lap.

McLaren's driver Fernando Alonso was forced to abandon his McLaren Honda car without completing the pre-race formation lap

Fernando Alonso said he felt "sad" and "bad" after yet another Honda power failure forced him out of Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix, this time before the race had started.

"It's sad, but (there’s) nothing I can do now," said the two-time world champion who is heading to take part in the Indianapolis 500 instead of the Monaco Grand Prix next month.

On Sunday, he was forced to abandon his McLaren Honda car without completing the pre-race formation lap.

"As soon as we started the formation lap, we didn't have the normal power,” he said.

“They asked me to change a few things on the steering wheel, to try to recover the ERS (Energy Recovery System), but there was no way and, at the end of the lap, the car stopped.

“We couldn't even start the race this time. I feel bad. We all wanted to be there, but these things happen. This is sport.

“When you are here and you can't race, what can you do? It's not in your hands."

His McLaren Honda team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne, who had suffered a grid penalty because of a need for a replacement engine, went the distance and finished 14th.

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier admitted: “You cannot hide behind a result like this -– finishing 14th is not why McLaren-Honda goes racing and, believe me, we are working hard to make sure this level of performance doesn’t last for long.”

Boullier sympathised with Alonso who has not finished any of this year’s four races this year.

“It’s tough,” he said. “It’s frustrating. Every weekend is the same. But Formula One is my life and so hopefully we can improve the situation soon.”

Alonso said he will now shift his focus to Indianapolis, where he is scheduled to test the Andretti Autosport car this week, as part of his preparations for his Indy 500 debut.

“I wanted to see if I could find an earlier flight,” he joked. “But there doesn't appear to be one -- so watched the race and had an ice cream."

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