McLaren hosted an event to close the Honda chapter featuring Fernando Alonso, Stoffel Vandoorne, Yusuke Hasegawa, Eric Boullier and Zak Brown. The Spaniard was asked about the extra-F1 deeds he has been embarking on recently, but later on the questions started focusing on the season in Formula 1.

"It is always a relief when you finish a season, arrive to the end and you did not meet all the expectations. It is some kind of a good feeling because it is like turning the page and going for the next target. Clearly for next year we have high expectations, different goals and a different philosophy of getting into the car and designing the car over the winter. Many things are ongoing and make us optimistic, so it is nice that also the season finishes and we can concentrate fully on 2018."

"We did follow cars these year in a couple of races, it is more difficult than the previous year, we cannot get close, we get some strange behaviour. So studying on the aerodynamic side is needed in order to follow the cars a little bit more closely. Hopefully they will come up with some ideas. On our side as driver it will be welcome because it is difficult this year." said Fernando about close fights.

Asked whether they were happy, Fernando said: "I am always happy, many things are ongoing. Now at 9 o' clock we have the E-Sports Final, my driver is starting from pole position so we are really happy. There are many projects. For next year in F1 we have new targets, so it is cool to say goodbye to this 2017 season."

Eric Boullier was more neutral, pointing out that the team also displayed some positives and improvements. Stoffel reiterated the "ups and downs" description of this season: "It has been a season of ups and downs but the way we have developed the car is positive, for next year as well it is going on the right direction. All the efforts we are putting in will work and everyone will be looking forward to next year."

Hasegawa-san declared: "It is up to tomorrow's result, it is always all about the performance that you would not want to expect."

Stoffel added on his teammate: "It has been a good season working with Fernando, who is probably the best reference I can have on the grid and I think it was very good to be alongside him, seeing the way he is working along with the team, setting up the car and preparing for the race. I gained a lot of experience and I am looking forward to carrying that forward next year."

About Fernando Alonso's WEC opportunities, Eric was very cautious: "First there is a clash with F1 so we cannot do the full season. There are 3 races you could do at post-LeMans but we don't know if Fernando wants to race every weekend and we know that there are 52 week-ends per year. We know that he wants to do LeMans one day but for now there have not been any official requests." Hasegawa-san was happy for Fernando Alonso's test with Toyota, defining himself as "a fan" and "very supportive" towards the Spaniard.

Zak Brown wrapped up the meeting: "This is our last Meet the team of 2017. I would like to thank the journalists for the interest and support shown, the drivers that did not have an easy season but never gave up and were great at leading our team, Eric and the entire race team that have done everything they can to find every second. Everyone is very excited for next year. I would love to thank Jonathan Neale who has made my entry into the sport and I have enjoyed my first year. And also Hasegawa-san and Honda, they have been great partners, they are great people, we get along. Never say never, we could get back together in the future."