Saving fuel cost McLaren 50 seconds, according to Boullier

The need to save fuel cost McLaren 50 seconds at the Formula One Russian Grand Prix, according to team principal Eric Boullier’s calculations, and had it not been for that they could have matched the pace of the Williamses.
The Spanish Fernando Alonso, who added his first points of the season, finished sixth one lap behind the winner, the German Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), and 52.829 seconds from the fourth, the Finn Valtteri Bottas (Williams).
Boullier attributes this difference between Williams and McLaren to the higher fuel consumption of the Honda engines that drive the British team’s cars, compared to other power units.
“We are the team that has to save the most fuel, for obvious reasons, but with Fernando it could be seen that at the end of the race he was 1.2 seconds faster per lap. Therefore, if we had not had to save fuel, we would have had another 50 seconds to go, “explained Boullier.
The McLaren manager observed that the McLaren would be at the level of the Williams without that inconvenience. “That is the improvement we have to make, but the pace was good and the drivers were happy with the performance of the car. Fernando had a bit of fun, “he said.
The McLarens were unable to enter the final round of qualifying session (Q3) on Saturday, but had good race pace, according to Boullier. The British Jenson Button, Alonso’s teammate, finished tenth, so they both scored points, something that had not happened since the 2015 Hungarian GP.
“We continue to improve performance and missing Q3 by one tenth was a small blow, but the race was a good surprise because our pace was better than expected,” commented the director.
Alonso confirmed those feelings after the race. “We have taken an important step forward,” he said.
«In the end we kept the (sixth) position I think deservedly. We had a good pace in the race. We only had to keep because the car in front and also the one behind were very far away and that is why the race was a bit boring, “he added.
“We have been very competitive all weekend and we finished with the fifth fastest lap. That’s why I think the (sixth) position is deserved, ”said the two-time Spanish champion. EFE