Fernando Alonso says he believes “good times are coming” for McLaren after driving the team’s Renault-powered MCL33 for the first time.

Alonso completed his first run in the car as he and team mate Stoffel Vandoorne shake a 100 kilometre shakedown test as part of a filming day at the Navarra circuit in Spain.

“I think good times are coming,” said Alonso in av ideo released by McLaren. “We struggled, we kept the motivation very high, the team is stronger now than three years ago. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

“It’s always a special moment when you drive the car for the first time,” he added after driving the first McLaren to be powered by a Renault engine. “Everything feels good.”

“We’re looking forward to do a proper lap now at full speed, but so far good. We run behind some other cars and some cameras, some people with filming equipment and things like that so it’s not full speed.”

“For us it’s the first feel with the seat, the pedals, the comfort side of it. And for the guys as well temperature, maybe some bodywork adjustments that we need to do.”

“The good thing about these days is the emotional part, after very intense work in the factory, everyone working very hard, very proud of the team and finally the day arrives. The engine’s running, the car is running, we are all happy.”

2018 F1 season