Japanese chief confident of McLaren-Honda reemergence

Honda one of the best known names in F1 history made yet another entry to the elite field this season, as the power plant suppliers to the renowned McLaren outfit, bringing back the memories of their relationship decades ago.
It was a 'grand alliance' once more but engine output problems have plagued their efforts to quickly reestablish themselves on the top grid of the world's most talked about motorsport. Since 1966 McLaren has won more laurels than any other constructor in this sport which keeps millions enthralled the world over from January to December.
McLaren-Honda drivers Jenson Button, 16th in the drivers' standings, and Alonso Fernando (17th), are among the biggest names and brand ambassadors of the circuit for so many years. And, in their later years of high tech, high octane racing, these veterans are trying their very best as usual to boost the McLaren-Honda image again. McLaren-Honda chief Yasuhisa Arai, admits the problem on account of the lower power plant output that caused the team heavy penalties this season like in the Belgian GP.
Instead, he knows exactly where the bottleneck lies and is determined to move on with the task at hand.
He said: "Our initial sessions and practice routines here this year have gone smoothly. Fernando's car had a high-voltage sensor go into fail mode. He had a very good feel for the car and seemed satisfied with the overall set-up of the car and the power unit.
"Jenson ran smoothly during both sessions, but seemed to have tech hitches to get the spot-on settings that he prefers."
According to him Honda and McLaren have been able to go through the learning curve of a renewed relationship quite well. However the combo effort have slumped to McLaren's worst showing since 1980.
With just 27 points on the board and one race remaining, the Etihad Abu Dhabi GP on Sunday, McLaren-Honda are down in ninth place in the Constructors' Championship, one place above wooden spoonists Manor Marussia-Ferrari (0). The team has managed just five races inside the top 10 and only one where both cars managed to score points.
However, Arai does not indulge in wasting time and the Japanese is supremely confident that the McLaren-Honda relationship will grow in strength.
"So much has happened since McLaren-Honda's new beginnings here in Abu Dhabi last year," he said, "We have come a long way since that first test, and although we have had a difficult and eventful season in 2015, the team is as united as ever. The amount of changes that have gone into both the car and the power units this year with such speed has been incredible."
"Both Woking and Sakura have been working tirelessly throughout the year, and together with the drivers, their bond has become stronger as the season progressed. I am thankful for all their hard work, and encouraged by their enthusiasm to improve further over the winter," he added.
moni@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi