McLaren reliability issues 'addressed'

Eric Boullier is confident that McLaren have solved the reliability which plagued them during pre-season testing as they finalise preparations for the Australian Grand Prix. Both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne suffered breakdowns as McLaren completed fewer laps than any team.

Despite ditching their previously troublesome Honda power units, McLaren still struggled in Barcelona - frustrations compounded by Toro Rosso's near faultless running with Honda onboard.

McLaren brought out more red flags than any other team at the Circuit de Catalunya and the team admitted they had struggled with getting to grips with their new Renault engine.

But Boullier says the problems encountered in pre-season are now solved as the team look to muscle in amongst the frontrunners this year.

"With the many developments within our team over the past six months or so, it brings me great excitement and pride to see everything coming together and the new McLaren Renault MCL33 hitting the track in Melbourne," says Boullier.

"We didn't have the reliability we had hoped for in winter testing, but all the issues we faced have since been addressed back at the factory.

"There's a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to ensure we leave no stone unturned in our quest to extract the maximum pace we can from our new package from the first race.

"We're not expecting miracles to be worked overnight – far from it – but what we do know is that we'll give it our all this weekend."