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Alonso is running McLaren at the moment - Webber

Ex-Formula 1 driver Mark Webber believes that Fernando Alonso is currently running the McLaren team, calling him "colossal".

Alonso has led McLaren's charge since joining the team back in 2015, albeit largely in the midfield and towards the back of the grid this year amid ongoing problems with power unit supplier Honda.

Alonso's team-mate, Stoffel Vandoorne, has also been hamstrung by the Honda engine's lack of reliability or performance so far this year, making for a difficult start to his full-time F1 career.

"It's challenging, but welcome to F1," Webber said. "The kitchen is hot, always. I like Stoffel a lot. He's got his head screwed on. I think he sees the big picture quite nice for his age. He has a very, very good career in front."

Webber believes that Vandoorne will become stronger for McLaren's struggles and for being in a team where Alonso is leader, going as far as saying that the Spaniard is in control of McLaren at the moment.

"He doesn't see it now, but actually this is a good learning for him right now, because it's tough," Webber said.

"Fernando is running the team at the moment. He's running McLaren. He's colossal. He's mercurial. For Stoffel, this is good learnings."

When asked about McLaren's current struggles and strained relationship with Honda, Webber said that the team needed to make a change somehow or risk irrevocable damage.

"Clearly it's at a critical point, relationship-wise," Webber said. "You cannot go on like that. There has to be a huge performance lift from Honda or there has to be a change. McLaren don't go racing for P14. That's just not going to happen.

"They won't have a business at the end of the day so they have to find a solution very fast." 

Zdroj: crash.net