Alonso: McLaren have an engine that isn't an experiment

Fernando Alonso has expressed optimism about McLaren's chances of fighting Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull for race victories in 2018 with Renault power. However, he could not resist doing so without one more dig at his team's former engine supplier, Honda.

Two-time world champion Alonso left the Scuderia to return to McLaren in 2015, but Honda's struggles left him fighting at the back and middle of the pack in the past three seasons.

McLaren cut their losses last year, ditching Honda and taking on Renault engines for 2018.

And Alonso believes the team can now overcome their previous deficiencies and enjoy a successful year.

"What I don't have is any reason to believe we are not going to be competitive," Alonso said.

"McLaren is, if not the best, one of the best teams in this sport -- not lately, but in history. Therefore, seeing the chassis we had last year, I see no reason why we wouldn't be competitive this year.

"We have an engine that is not an experiment. It's a new engine that we have to open up and see what we find out. It's an evolution from last year and has already won races.

"Plus, there are two other teams with the same engine, so if we have an issue, there are many people trying to solve and many tests that each team can make to try to find a solution that is positive for everyone. So when I put it all in the mix, I see no reason why things would go badly."

Toro Rosso replaced McLaren as Honda's customer for 2018.

The Faenza team have released a series of messages at the first pre-season test in Barcelona suggesting Honda have made great strides over the winter.

Brendon Hartley put more laps in than all but one driver - Daniel Ricciardo - on the first day of running at the Circuit de Catalunya.