---
title: "Fernando Alonso Expects ‘Nothing’ From Latest Honda Engine Update"
description: "Blunt words from the former world champ."
date: "2017-07-06"
modified: "2017-07-06"
authors:
  - name: "Caleb Jacobs"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12200/fernando-alonso-expects-nothing-from-latest-honda-engine-update"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Fernando Alonso"
  - "Formula One"
  - "honda"
  - "McLaren-Honda"
  - "Motorsport News"
---

# Fernando Alonso Expects ‘Nothing’ From Latest Honda Engine Update

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/07/fernando-alonso-hero-image-2.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

[Fernando Alonso](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/10567/sitting-down-with-fernando-alonso-gentleman-savior-of-indycar>)'s faith in Honda seems to be beyond repair. He's [given them deadlines](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/10202/fernando-alonso-says-mclaren-has-until-october-to-prove-they-can-win-in-2018>), [threatened to leave the McLaren team](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/11311/fernando-alonso-says-hell-leave-mclaren-if-team-doesnt-start-winning>), and spoken out about his discontent with his car's engine time and time again. Honda has tried to revise its engines to bring them up to Alonso's standards, but to no avail. A new "spec 3" upgrade was tested in [Baku](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/11833/formula-ones-wild-and-crazy-azerbaijan-grand-prix>), and both Alonso and his McLaren teammate Stoffel Vandoorne will run the engine [in Austria](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/11913/the-austrian-grand-prix-decides-fernando-alonsos-fate>); however, the Spaniard star isn't expecting much.

Alonso was interviewed at an FIA event recently by *EFE News*, and when asked what he thought about Honda's latest efforts, he said "I think the engine is good for the team to do a press release, but it is practically the same. Any upgrade is welcome, but there is no change with the new engine. We already tried it in Baku practice, but we were last and second to last," [*Autoweek*](<https://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/fernando-alonso-has-low-expectations-newest-honda-f1-update>) reports

Obviously, those aren't encouraging words from the former world champion. Even more disconcerting was Alonso's response when he was asked what he expected out of the "spec 3" revision -- he simply said "nothing".

If Honda can't pull things together by October, it's unlikely that 'Nando [will be staying with McLaren](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/8727/mclaren-honda-formula-one-team-hopes-fernando-alonso-wont-quit>). Talks of him moving to Mercedes have been shot down, but a potential shift to Ferrari may be possible if the Maranello team decides not to re-sign either Raikkonen or Vettel. In fact, ex-F1 supremo [Bernie Ecclestone encouraged that move](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/11962/bernie-ecclestone-says-ferrari-should-consider-fernando-alonso>), saying Ferrari should consider Alonso because he is "one of the best F1 drivers of all time."

## Author
Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-jacobs-319323119>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/calebjwords>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/calebjacobs0611>)