Column: Is McLaren in trouble already?

The first week of testing was mixed for McLaren. They were the first team in testing to bring out the red flag when a wheel bearing failed on Fernando Alonso’s opening run, but they clocked in the third fastest time of the week overall.

They were towards the bottom of pile in terms of laps completed whilst their ex engine partner Honda were on top with their new team Toro Rosso, but compared to the previous three years and with a brand-new engine in the back of the car, they ran fairly reliably all things considered.

However, day two has had a subtle hint of déjà vu about it. Stoffel Vandoorne has twice broken down before the lunch break and the same issue has been at fault. With only four laps on the board as well, they are currently the slowest team in the paddock. Not the start they needed with just over two weeks until lights out in Melbourne.

After the relatively uninformative initial week of testing due to the cold weather conditions, McLaren and the rest of the teams are desperate for mileage in this the second week of testing but a familiar sight can be seen so far, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull running reliably whilst a McLaren sits broken down in the garage.

McLaren are a team that are expected to be fighting for wins regularly, especially with the talent and money at their disposal. Alonso’s extra-curricular activities outside of Formula One have been said to be a deal to keep their star driver happy whilst the car remains uncompetitive.

Whilst there are very few people expecting Toro Rosso to finish ahead of McLaren come Australia, every time the Honda-powered car comes around to complete another lap ahead of the British team, it must sting those in the garage and back in the UK. It must be embarrassing to see the engine partner you were so desperate to be rid of succeeding where you aren’t immediately out of the gate.

Those on social media have had an entertaining couple of days directly comparing the team’s respective performances, innocently mocking the failures of McLaren and the brilliant efforts of Toro Rosso. It has to hurt both Vandoorne and Alonso. The Spaniard appeared happy last week, all smiles saying that “there is a huge potential” with the McLaren-Renault partnership. But it seems to be more of the same for the team, a potentially race-winning chassis that isn’t on pace with their competition and that can only serve to aggravate the two-time world champion also.

Not only do they have an issue on their hands with keeping Alonso happy, their recent struggles have also neutered their hugely talented young Belgian in Vandoorne. Having dominated during his time in GP2, the 25-year-old is yet to race in a competitive car in Formula One and it is a huge disappointment as he clearly possesses the talent.

So, while it may seem that an innocuous that these early teething problems with the new engine partnership are just small hiccups that can be sorted quickly, it is costing McLaren valuable laps and mileage they are desperate for ahead of a make or break season for the Woking-based outfit. As the chequered flag waves for the end of the morning session, McLaren are on seven laps rooted to the basement of the timesheets whilst their supposed competition in Mercedes and Ferrari sit on 86 apiece at the top of the timing screens. 19 days until lights out.