Honda engine’s lack of power at the Brazilian Grand Prix should worry Toro Rosso says two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso.
Alonso spent most of the time in the race trying to overcome Felipe Massa’s Mercedes powered Williams. But in spite of appearing faster at the corners, he could not overtake Massa at the straights, highlighting the performance difference between the two engines.
The Spaniard believes that cars behind him were 50km/h quicker when they enabled the DRS.
Honda’s lack of top speed was “alarming” he said and warned the Junior Red Bull team that they may face a bad situation next year once they switch to the Japanese engines.
“The lack of power today was amazing. In Mexico the same,” said Alonso. “I was very, very close to Felipe a couple of times on the exit of the last corner, but even with the DRS, he was pulling away.
“As I said, the lack of power is quite worrying for Toro Rosso next year.”
He added: “It’s still a shame that we have this incredible power deficit and that with all the battery, the DRS and everything they are still quicker on the straight.
“Yesterday I think it was 25 km/h. Today when someone uses the DRS it must be 40 or 50, so it’s pretty incredible that we finish in front of some cars. The lack of speed today was alarming.
“Only Abu Dhabi left and another complicated year ends. Hopefully, it’s the last race we have to race in these conditions.”
McLaren F1 cars will be powered by Renault engines from next season. But despite the French company’s failure rate and unreliability, Alonso says he is not worried. Renault had to turn down their engines at Brazil to minimise any chances of failures.
“We’ll see. Renault is the best engine company in the last 15 or 20 years if you see all the championship so I think we should not be worried,” he said.
Alonso finished the Brazilian Grand Prix at eighth and although dissatisfied with its power, the Spaniard says his team enjoyed a great weekend.
“Overall it was the best weekend for us. We started sixth, we were fifth, we finished in the points, so a happy weekend.”
