Can we already speculate on who will replace Alonso mid season?

Too soon for Norris? Too late for Button? Kubica is free-ish.

Probably we need the last day to do some laps, to do some long runs, to check extra things, but in terms of fundamental answers that we need for the winter tests they are already okay, we have all of them.

So I don't need the last day. I will be in the car, I will drive, hopefully we keep discovering new things on the car.

McLaren already has a closer relationship with new Formula 1 engine supplier Renault than it ever had with previous partner Honda, says Stoffel Vandoorne.
After three predominantly frustrating years as Honda's works F1 team, McLaren initiated a split last season and is now a Renault customer.

Toro Rosso picked up the Honda deal and has been very complimentary about its new partner during a largely trouble-free winter.

But when asked by Motorsport.com how well Renault and McLaren were cooperating, Vandoorne replied: "Until now everything has been going very well.

"I think McLaren and Renault are perhaps closer than it's ever been with Honda, also because the culture is much more similar.

"It's a very open relationship. If somebody makes a mistake, the other party doesn't get the blame. If there's problems they quickly find a solution as well."

He described the atmosphere at McLaren as "quite different, very positive" compared to last season, even though the team has again had to grapple with multiple reliability problems.

Well, one very good news for McLaren

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mcla ... a-1012932/

So most people are expecting Ferrari are 3rd best.
Nobody knows either why everytime they leave the garage, there's a shitload of smoke.

Honda might not be as reliable as some think.

STR have used 2 PU's in the first week. They say that was plannend to analyse the components after X amount of laps. But it might just be that the Honda PU can't handle the mileage that's needed this season (avg of 7 races per PU)
Renault in comparison have used one PU up until last night.

That doesn't mean Mclaren aren't screwing up. There's clearly something wrong with their packaging.

actually i was wondering: what if an egine supplier deliberately develop engine that can give let's say 50 or even 100hp more but can't handle the 7 races distance? I mean let's consider a team back in the grid, let's say a haas, wouldn't be better for them if they have a 50/100hp advantage for half of the season and then get penalized the other half for using more PU than the rules allow instead of just running the whole season struggling to enter the points?

interesting thought. A team like would be better off if it has a few races in the beginning with a few podium finishes (or even better) and thus also much on tv. So you could risk to race without setting the engine in conservative modus. And who knows, maybe the engines will survive longer then expected.