• First Barcelona Test - Day One

McLaren ends first day early after MGU-K setback

Nate Saunders in Barcelona
February 19, 2015 « Unwell Hamilton ends first day early in Barcelona | Injured Rosberg a doubt for second day of testing »
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McLaren's promising start to the Barcelona test has been curtailed by a faulty seal on its MGU-K, cutting short its first day of the second test.

McLaren completed just 79 laps in Barcelona but had a positive morning with Jenson Button, as he completed 21 early laps and stayed near the top of the timing screens. However, the McLaren was notably absent from proceedings as the session passed midday and the team confirmed its day was over just as the chequered flags came out for lunch.

The faulty seal required a full change of the power unit, meaning Button's day was over, though McLaren says it plans for a productive day on Friday when Fernando Alonso takes over proceedings.

"We had to stop running this morning after discovering a faulty seal on the MGU-K," Honda boss Yasuhisa Arai said. "That faulty part then caused an issue that requires full replacement of the power-unit - and the time needed to make those changes effectively ends today's programme.

"We'll need to run a re-designed component to avoid a potential repeat of the problem. Unfortunately, we won't be in possession of that updated part until Saturday, which means that we may face the same problem when we run again tomorrow.

"Such issues are all part of testing, but we'll make the best changes we can overnight, and will plan for a productive day of running - with Fernando behind the wheel - tomorrow.

"Hopefully, with a bespoke solution ready for Saturday, both drivers will have an opportunity to get some useful laps under their belts, with Jenson driving on Saturday, and Fernando concluding the test on Sunday."

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