2017 Review – McLaren: The End of a Three-Year Calvary
We continue our reviews of the teams and drivers of this season with the penultimate and aptly named McLaren. One word can describe the McLaren-Honda partnership: failure. Supposed to recall the team's glory days of the early 90s, the Japanese-British association has been nothing but dissatisfaction, discord, and criticism. For 2017, the accusatory fingers are pointed at the engine manufacturer.

9th in the championship, 30pts
Best qualification: 7th
Best race result: 6th
Difficult to make a critical assessment of McLaren, as most of the problems encountered were due to Honda and its power unit. The winter tests in February had revealed the delay of the Japanese, but as the inaugural Australian Grand Prix approached, the Woking team sought to reassure and above all to reassure themselves. In Melbourne, the verdict was irrevocable: a retirement and a last place behind Giovinazzi’s Sauber. The start of the season was catastrophic, the mechanics were just waiting – unfortunately not for long – for a part to break to lift the engine hood of the MCL-32.
In the face of repeating a 2015 season, Alonso even went as far as to compete in the Indianapolis 500 instead of the Monaco Grand Prix. On this occasion, Button came in to replace the Spaniard, and that weekend saw for the first time both orange cars reach Q3, and we would prefer to remember this performance rather than the race.
After Spain and Monaco, things improved for McLaren, which became increasingly present in the top 10 and scored its first points in Azerbaijan, a circuit known for being engine-dependent, but where many drivers accustomed to the top half of the standings retired. As expected, Hungary was the moment to mark the best performance of the season, with Alonso’s 6th place before the summer break.
Upon returning from vacation, Spa-Francorchamps is far from favorable for the men of Woking. In qualifying, Vandoorne, relegated to the back of the grid due to a slew of penalties, acts as a tow to help Alonso. Alonso will then abandon the race, citing an engine problem, which Honda will deny a few days later. In Belgium, there are strong rumors of an impending divorce between the team and its engine supplier.
The end of the season is more promising for the British team, which has become accustomed to Q3 and finishing in the top 10 in races, with notably two 7th place finishes by Vandoorne in Singapore and Malaysia. It is also in Singapore that McLaren and Honda choose to announce their separation. Another important announcement is the renewal of Alonso’s contract during the United States Grand Prix, following the extension of Vandoorne’s contract announced a few weeks earlier at Spa-Francorchamps.
If it remains second to last in the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren can take solace in having matched Renault and Williams in terms of performance, and in having consistently left behind Toro Rosso and Haas.
Editor’s Note: 13/20
Fernando Alonso
15th in the championship, 17 pts
Best qualification: 7th
Best race result: 6th
With resignation, one could say it’s another season without success for the Iberian. This third year with Honda was one too many for him, evidenced by his trip across the Atlantic for the IndyCar race in Indianapolis while his teammates raced on the Mediterranean coast in Monaco, as well as his withdrawal in Belgium after a few laps following a statement that was denied by Honda in the days that followed—the McLaren was left behind by other cars climbing towards Blanchimont, enough to drive a winning-minded driver crazy.
Despite his dark episodes, the Asturian bull has shown that he hasn’t lost any of his fighting spirit, always striving to achieve the best. His battle with Sainz in Hungary, the one he had with Hamilton in Mexico, his fabulous gamble at Silverstone in qualifying, his fastest lap out of nowhere at Monza, we can say he remains a driver to count on for keeping the action alive in Formula 1.
Editor’s note: 14/20
Stoffel Vandoorne:
16th in the championship, 13 pts
Best qualification: 7th
Best race result: 7th
It was the confirmation season for the Belgian, after his stint last year. 2017 was not always bright for him. Like Alonso, he bided his time waiting for the reliability and power of the Honda engine, and the mountain of penalties he received for his first national Grand Prix only darkened the picture further. Almost always slightly behind his teammate in terms of timing, he nevertheless showed he could learn from the experience by positioning himself not far from him in both qualifying and races, when both could finish the race.
The extension of his contract by his team shows the confidence they place in him and proves his investment throughout the year to improve the car. This involvement is also reflected in the standings; with his 13 points, Vandoorne has contributed 45% of McLaren’s points. Whether in practice, qualifying, or race, the rookie has made very few mistakes, with only his contact with the railing in Monaco being noteworthy.
Editor’s Note: 12/20