Alonso 'excited but apprehensive' about new car

Fernando Alonso has admitted that he is excited about the upcoming season after getting a view of the finished McLaren car for the 2018 season, but remains apprehensive about having big expectations due to the fact he has had three years devoid of success with Honda engines.

For the past three campaigns, McLaren has been using Honda parts and each year was unfortunately scattered with reliability problems. The partnership with Honda has now been terminated in favour of Renault, and Alonso has confessed he is 'excited but apprehensive' about the new season.

"Looking at our new car, I feel incredibly excited -- but also apprehensive," Alonso said.

"I know just how important this car is to the team, and I just hope that it delivers in the way we all want it to.

"If we're able to develop the key strengths of last year's chassis and marry it to an improved Renault power unit, then I think we'll be able to take a step forwards.

"The car certainly looks very neat and well thought-out, and I think the new colour looks really great; really eye-catching. I just want to get behind the wheel now!

McLaren's racing director Eric Boullier is also happy with the new vehicle, and has reserved praise for all the departments involved in its production as the partnership with Honda was stopped fairly late in the day in favour of Renault.

"I think the whole team feels proud of this car," Boullier said.

"The design, engineering and aerodynamic departments have done an incredible job delivering a new car with a new power unit in an extremely short timeframe. We never took the easy route or looked to shortcut a process or a solution; and the result is a car that is neat and well-resolved.

"That said, we are under no illusions that it will be difficult to splinter the hegemony at the front; and that the midfield will be full of well-funded, experienced outfits with plenty to prove.

"We are humble about the challenge ahead, but feel we've prepared well, have a solid package that we can build upon and exploit as the season progresses, and have two excellent drivers who will make the difference in races.

"At McLaren, we are all racers -- pure and simple. We're going to come out pushing, and we're going to be racing as hard as ever."