Monte Carlo, Monaco - Undeterred by his last points prediction coming back to bite him, Fernando Alonso says he expects his misfiring McLaren Formula One team to open its account for the season in Monaco this weekend.
The Spaniard told reporters before his home race in Barcelona two weeks ago that he was confident McLaren would finish in the points.
Instead, he retired with a brake problem - which the team blamed on a trapped visor tear-off - while 2009 champion team-mate Jenson Button finished 16th and lapped after wrestling with the 'scary' handling of his car.
“I think we will get points in Monaco,” said Alonso ahead of Sunday's showcase race. “Our simulations until the retirement in Barcelona put us in ninth place, so that was already the first opportunity to get the points. In Monaco it will be the second.
“From now on we will always be on the limit of the 10th place for the next two or three races. Hopefully after Austria we will be more secure - seventh, eighth place I hope. That's the target.”
WORST START TO A SEASON
Former champion McLaren has not won a race since 2012 and is enduring its worst start to a season as the new partnership with Honda beds in, but Monaco has rewarded it more than any team over the years.
Alonso won in the principality with Renault in 2006 and McLaren in 2007 while Button did so in 2009 with Brawn. Germany's Nico Rosberg has won the past two editions with Mercedes.
The tight and twisty circuit means McLaren's power disadvantage will be less apparent, with driveability and a driver's skills more important.
Button said in a team preview: “I'm hopeful we can sort out the balance issues we had on my car in the last race, so Monaco should see an improvement.
“After a disappointing race in Barcelona, naturally it's easy to be frustrated when you step out of the car, especially when you feel you deserved more.
“I firmly believe that we're making solid progress, which is why having a difficult race is hard to take.”
Reuters