Boullier: We could be the surprise of the season

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has confirmed that the team’s new car will be a new colour, while warning rivals that his team could be the surprise package of the Formula 1 season.

Speaking to media during a Pirelli event Italy, Boullier said, “You will see a change in the colour. Wait a few days and you’ll find out.”

The McLaren-Honda renaissance has yet to fire on all cylinders, but Boullier believes 2017 could be a turning point for the team whose challenge will be spearheaded by veteran Fernando Alonso and rookie Stoffel Vandoorne.

“We could be the outsider, the surprise of the season,” predicted the Frenchman. “Honda is working well on the engines and of those who could compete for the title alongside Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, we could be there as well.”

“For McLaren it’s a whole new car and a brand new engine, but we are not starting from scratch because we used past experience to make progress.”

Meanwhile a suspension controversy has been bubbling for the past month, instigated by Ferrari questioning the legality of suspension systems being developed by Red Bull and Mercedes which mimick active suspension which is banned in F1.

When asked about the saga, Boullier said, “Today we have very restrictive chassis regulations. That means you have many ideas that can be interpreted differently within the scope of the regulations. This is why Ferrari insists upon its opinion.”

“We are very neutral,” he is quoted by Spox. “An agreement has been reached with the FIA, which is that we have to adhere to the existing rules but disclose our procedures in more detail. To be honest, one day we should just end it and copy road cars and bring back active suspension,” added Boullier.