Fernando Alonoso predicts more competitive McLaren in 2019

Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso confirmed that McLaren had been working on 20198-relevant parts since the summer and that it was these that would benefit Sainz and Norris when they stepped up for the team next year. “I think the car is definitely going to be more competitive next year,” said Alonso. “From July, we’ve been testing experimental parts [for] next year. I think there’s a lot of optimism in the team with the direction the car took in the last couple of months. We understood our problems. “We know that last year, the car was very competitive on the chassis side. We know that – we have the GPS to compare, we have our speed in the corners… We lost some of that competitiveness this year, we understood why. I think next year, the team will be in a much better position and I’m happy for them. Alonso also revealed that, ahead of what was potentially his final Formula 1 outing, he felt he was now a more complete driver than ever before. “This year has been my best year by far in terms of qualifying battles," he said. "I think it’s 19-0 now [against Vandoorne]. It’s something I’ve never reached in my career, so I feel I’m competitive and I’m fast. "Probably testing the IndyCar and [my World Endurance Championship] programme this year, I feel [like I’m a] better driver, or more complete driver, as I understand the behaviours of the car, the driving techniques, other ways of saving energy, saving the tyres. You have more information from the outside, the engineers, their point of views. It [gives] you a better or wider view of motorsport, so when you jump in an F1 car, you have an extra opinion, even if it’s not totally useful in an F1. The overall concept of philosophies helps you as a driver.”

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