McLaren to continue 2016 development

Editor

Eric Boullier has confirmed that McLaren-Honda will continue the development of their 2016  MP4-31, despite starting to work on their 2017 model.

McLaren have enjoyed a much better season compared to 2015, where they only scored a combined 27 points and came second last on the Constructors’ Championship table. They already have 47 points in 2016, with nine races still left in the season.

The Woking-based racing director also said that all the updates implemented this year are part of their 2017 development.

“There will still be some car developments after the shutdown,” said Boullier.

“Every development we are doing is obviously applicable to next year’s car, so we focus on this and on next year’s car.”

Honda’s F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa echoed Boullier’s words, saying that updates will continue in 2016, but with a close eye on the 2017 development.

“We will not give up with this year,” Hasegawa added.

“But we have to start work on 2017, so when we have to change our resources to 2017 is a very difficult decision.”