BARCELONA, Spain -- The opening day of testing has not gone to plan for McLaren after an oil systems issue on the Honda engine forced the team to stop running.
McLaren is hoping to fix the car to allow it to run later in the day, but because the problem is located in a difficult access location it will take a number of hours to investigate and fix. The car had completed just one installation lap with Fernando Alonso at the wheel and had not set a time when the problem occurred.
Honda has completely overhauled its engine this year after the abolition of the FIA's token upgrade system over the winter allowed more freedom for change. At the car's launch on Friday, Honda engine boss Yusuke Hasegawa said that there were certain risks associated with the redesign, but that it had a "much lower centre of gravity and lighter weight" as well as more power.
The new MCL32 completed a filming day on Sunday with both drivers taking part, but Monday was the first time it hit the track for official testing.