McLaren curbing expectations for 2018

McLaren directors Eric Boullier and Zak Brown have vowed to keep their expectations low for the upcoming Formula One season even though they are widely expected to be much better performers in the constructor rankings now that they have Renault engines.

The Woking-based outfit is one of the most prestigious teams in the history of the sport, but have not won a constructor's championship for 20 years.

The lack of recent success has largely been attributed to their partnership with Honda which was marred by severe engine reliability problems, with that contract having now been terminated.

McLaren have now struck a deal with Renault with the French manufacturer now providing parts from 2018 onwards, and although this is expected to provide an upturn in fortunes, the team have been quick to curb any talk of success.

"It is part of the game, but we need to keep it under control," Boullier told Autosport.

"We need to make sure that there are no strong comments and we keep just one line: which is under-promise and over-deliver. That is the key.

"Emotionally it is hard. And it is part of my job to manage that - even if I am a bit more Latin than most of my British colleagues. You have to keep it under control.

"You can get over-excited very easily, especially after three years in the dark when you see the light coming. We have to be professional now."

Brown echoed these comments, but thinks that everyone at McLaren will prosper under the added pressure.

"The team is used to fighting it out in world championships and it is something that everyone is looking forward to," the McLaren executive director said.

"It does come with more pressure, but everyone is going to rise to the occasion. It has been a while since we have been at the front, so we need to make sure that expectations aren't over the top for Australia.

"I think we will be one of the most-viewed teams in Australia, as everyone will want to see where we are.

"So we need to make sure we don't put too much pressure on ourselves."

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Brown admits he is looking forward to the opening Grand Prix in Australia, but insisted that McLaren as a team need to improve in more ways than simply getting a better engine, which they now have.

"Just look at pitstops," he said. "They are not at the area they need to be. That has nothing to do with what power unit you have.

"We are not perfect, but that will raise everyone when the pressure is on.

"It is like Fernando [Alonso]. He will naturally find another tenth when he is racing at the front and I think that will happen to all of us.

"We will all taste and smell it, and subconsciously work harder because you are stepping up a little bit."

Boullier, meanwhile, joked that winning in Australia would provide added pressure to the team.

"My dream is to win in Australia, but actually maybe being third would be better," he smiled.

"If you win in Australia, then the first thing you have to do is sit down with the sponsors and shareholders and everybody and say: 'stop, this is just one race'.

"Winning a championship is another story. But I would be happy to have that problem!"