While Fernando Alonso claimed that Melbourne would be McLaren's weakest performance of the year and that he would subsequently be targeting the 'big three', the Woking team went one further, insisting, as it did in 2017, that it had the best car and merely needed an engine to match.

However, while a 36-point haul and fourth in the standings is not bad going, certainly compared to the last three seasons, it falls far short of where the Woking team, and Alonso, expected to be. Indeed, Melbourne remains the team's best showing, thus far, while neither driver has yet made it into Q3.

Former McLaren star, Jenson Button, believes his old team was a little OTT in terms of its pre-season boasts.

"The three big teams, it's difficult to challenge them at the moment and it's going to take a while," the 2009 world champion told Sky Sports.

"McLaren came out last year and this year and said they think they might have the best car," he continued. "It's a tall order to have the best car in F1 when you're racing against Ferrari and Mercedes and Red Bull. And I think we've seen that isn't the case.

"So you'd say the season so far is a disappointment," he admits, "but if they didn't say they had the best car you'd say it's a great season for them.

"They've made good steps, they're fourth in the constructors' standings, but because of what they said at the start of the year you say maybe it's not what we expected."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by imejl99, 09/05/2018 15:32

"@Chris Balfe

I am aware of that, nevertheless lack of sponsors doesn't mandate dull livery in my opinion, example was Brawn GP white but dynamic paint job :) Of course, lack of sponsors lack of money lack of performance lack of sponsors vicious flywheel is hard to stop..."

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2. Posted by Editor, 09/05/2018 9:01

"@ imejl99

Basic and simple livery usually also means no decent sponsors.... assuming we don't count Kimoa"

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3. Posted by imejl99, 09/05/2018 8:06

"Anyone noticed how cars with simple (not to use harsh words here) livery almost never perform? The moment you see livery you know what to expect? No? Only connection I could come up with is that the livery shows how much effort the team is putting in the car. Maybe I am not 100% wrong :)"

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4. Posted by Rock Doc, 08/05/2018 17:34

"McLaren will be lucky to stay 4th as the season progresses.

Renault are consistently faster and only 1 point behind, whilst a resurgent Force India in Baku must also be a concern to them.

Alonso's taste of victory at WEC over the weekend will also be a worry. I don't see them as being the best Renault engined team anytime soon and I'm sure Alonso is thinking the same thing."

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Button: McLaren 2018 not what we expected

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