• 2011 season

Alonso believes McLaren will be competitive

ESPNF1 Staff
March 15, 2011 « Todt gives backing to Australian Grand Prix | »
Fernando Alonso believes McLaren 'better than they look' © Getty Images
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Fernando Alonso has said he does not believe McLaren will struggle as much as some are making out and will be competitive in 2011.

When asked by El Pais newspaper about McLaren's apparently uncompetitive MP4-26 car, he said: "They're better than they look. Winter testing doesn't explain anything.

They say themselves that they are expecting a little more, so perhaps they will be at a similar level to the best [in Australia] and then go on ahead. When we get there, we'll see. McLaren are not going to be fighting for tenth place, but rather the podium."

Asked about the ongoing debate over tyre degradation, Alonso said his main concern is the effect on braking. "Before [with Bridgestone], you would come to the end of the straight and step on the brake with all your strength. Now if you do that, you block the wheels, especially the rears.

"The traction is also worse. Before you would step on the accelerator quickly out of a corner, but now it's more measured. You have to be much more sensitive."

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