Alonso expecting a 'different McLaren' in second half of 2015

Fernando Alonso is confident McLaren will become a much better prospect over the remainder of this year's Formula One campaign, despite the team’s recent woes.

Alonso described McLaren’s situation, and in particular the struggles with their new Honda power unit, as a 'little bit sad' at Silverstone, where he went on to score his first point of the year. However, he remains convinced things will improve significantly over the latter half of the season.

"I think the second part of the year will show a completely different McLaren, much more competitive," said the Spaniard. "The steps that are coming are quite big.

“This is not too difficult when you are at the back of the grid and two seconds off the pace - every step then is half a second or eight-tenths. When you are fighting for a podium you [only] gain 0.1s every two weeks. I think we will get much closer to the top guys in the second part of the championship.”

Alonso conceded, however, that two of the next three races - Belgium in August and Italy in September - will be among the worst for McLaren, in terms of the mismatch between circuit characteristics and those of the MP4-30.

"Austria, Canada, Spa and Monza are the four biggest power-effect circuits,” he commented. “The nature [of those is] not good for us. We have passed two; still two to defend."

The former champion also emphasised his awareness - and acceptance - of the fact that McLaren’s revived partnership with Honda is very much a long-term project, with the team having already used more power units this season than permitted under the original 2015 regulations.

"I am happy with the car, with the philosophy of developing it and with the next steps that will come,” he continued. “I am happy with the progress of Honda. Obviously we have had to use too many parts - in eight races five engines is a little bit sad - but if this means we are learning a lot it is very welcome.

"We had a completely new start from zero, and unfortunately in this sport there is no time to wait. We all want to do it right now and quickly, and this is not happening. The important thing is to not get frustrated, keep working in the same direction. We have the talent, the resources, the commitment - it is a question of time.”

Alonso has finished just three of the nine Grands Prix to date in 2015 and lies 18th in the driver standings, one place and three points behind team mate Jenson Button.