2015 Chinese Grand Prix: McLaren-Honda Drivers Do Not Expect Team To Make Significant Progress At The Shanghai International Circuit

McLaren-Honda drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have downplayed the chances of their team making significant progress in the third race of the current season. Alonso and Button believe that the cooler weather conditions at the 2015 Chinese Grand Prix to be held at the Shanghai International Circuit will play a big role during the race weekend from April 10 to April 12, 2015.

Alonso missed the first race at Albert Park because of the concussion he suffered during pre-season testing in Barcelona. Following his recovery from the crash, the 33-year-old Spaniard has returned to the cockpit of his MP4-30 and competed at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, but his Formula One, or F1 return was cut short after his car suffered an ERS cooling problem, eventually forcing him to retire at lap 21.

Ahead of the 2015 Chinese Grand Prix, Alonso has reservations that the McLaren-Honda F1 outfit will be able to top the team’s performance in Sepang. Alonso reckons that the cooler climate will play a big role in their quest to close the gap with other F1 teams.

“Like Sepang, Shanghai’s got a real mix of corners and some interesting fast stuff around the back of the circuit,” Alonso said via McLaren-Honda’s official website. “Despite those similarities, however, I don’t think our car package will be as well suited here as it was in Malaysia, especially if the weather is as cold and windy as it usually is in early springtime in Shanghai.”

Alonso’s teammate Button, on the other hand, shares the same sentiments as Alonso’s as he has also downplayed the chances of the team in Shanghai. Button has also struggled during the Malaysian Grand Prix. The British driver, who finished at the last place at Albert Park, was also forced to retire on lap 41 after his car had a power unit problem.

Both Alonso and Button had won the Chinese Grand Prix. Alonso, a two-time champion, won the trophy in 2205 with Renault and in 2013 with Ferrari. Button took the chequered flag at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2010 with McLaren-Mercedes.

2015 Chinese Grand Prix Schedule (Chinese Local Time Zone)

April 9

3:00 p.m. - Press Conference

4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Drivers Autograph Session

April 10

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Practice 1

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Practice 2

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Press Conference

April 11

9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. - Team Pit Stop Practice

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Practice 3 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Qualifying Race

April 12