Fernando Alonso Reveals Mclaren Tweaks for 2019

Fernando Alonso has said that he believes that the aerodynamic developments introduced by McLaren in the latter half of this season have improved the team and now they are positioned for the kill in 2019.

However, a fundamental aero-issue which impacted its MCL 33 chassis, has left the team’s performance well short of its mammoth expectations. Over the summer, McLaren had attempted to solve its car’s excessive drag issues and inconsistent down-force troubles, and while results have barely improved, Fernando Alonso trusts that the team’s positive development work and improved knowledge gains will help it put up a much better car in next season.

Source: Motorsport.com”Since July we have been testing experimental parts for next year,” said Fernando Alonso. “There is a lot of optimism in the team with the direction the car took in the last couple of months”, he continued. “We understood our problems, we know last year our car was very competitive on the chassis side, we know that, and we have the GPS comparison, we know the speed in the corners”, said Alonso.

“The car last year”, continued Alonso, “12 months ago, was very competitive in some areas and we lost that level of competitiveness this year unfortunately”, he said. “We understood why, so I think next year the team will be in a much better position and I am happy for them.”

While Alonso will not be racing in Formula 1 in 2019, he may very well have a chance to experience first hand McLaren’s new tweaks in 2019, with CEO Zak Brown suggesting that the team could call on the Spaniard for his invaluable feedback in the testing session next season.

“I have spoken to Fernando about it. He is very open to it,” said Brown. “There’s a lot he can contribute experience-wise. Carlos (Sainz) and Lando (Norris) are open to any ideas that will bring us experience.”

“Fernando knows the team very well”, continued Brown. “Lando doesn’t have that experience, and Carlos doesn’t have that experience with us. It’s something I’ll be talking to him about”, he said. “I’ll go to Daytona for Fernando’s Daytona testing and we’re going to chat to him further then.”