FERNANDO ALONSO BLAMES HONDA

Fernando Alonso has demanded an "immediate response" from McLaren to their disastrous winter testing, and insisted only the underperforming Honda engine is preventing the team from being potential winners in 2017.

With just two days of pre-season testing remaining, McLaren are bottom of the timesheets for both laps completed and the fastest times recorded at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"I don't think we are too far back with the chassis, we have only one problem which is the power unit," Alonso told reporters.

"There is no reliability and there is no power. We are 30kph down on the straight."

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Alonso added: "I'm driving at my best. I feel I am the best driver out there, I just need an engine that can run as quick as the others on the straight."

The two-time world champion, who quit Ferrari to join McLaren ahead of their reunion with Honda two years ago, was even more outspoken with the Spanish media, reputedly telling reporters: "The team are all ready to win except Honda."

Alonso also described the fault with the MCL32's fuel tank on the first day of winter testing as an "amateur problem".

How far behind are McLaren?

With just 334 laps completed, most of which have been run at reduced power to nurse the Honda engine and with a longest stint of just 11, Alonso estimated McLaren were still at "day two" level of their programme.

"We have to improve…definitely there [must be] a big reaction from the team which l expect immediately," said Alonso.

"The chassis-side is difficult because we are not pushing the speed that the others are doing because of the lack of power. But the chassis feels good, it is responding well to changes and I am happy with the balance and how it attacks the corners. I am enjoying the car."

While denying McLaren's problems were on a par with the nadir of 2015, when the McLaren-Honda second marriage immediately hit seismic problems, the Spaniard admitted: "The frustration is probably more this year because after the change in regulations you have higher hopes that you can close the gap over winter testing.

"We are not matching our expectations. But on the other hand it is only winter testing and the season is long enough that you have time to react. But right now you cannot say we are happy or that things are going ok."

Posted by: Iwelumo ifeanyi 14/2171

Demarcus Cousins refer to Kings as Dishonest

Demarcus holding up pelicans jersey

DeMarcuDeMarcus Cousins’ refer Kings as Dishonest
    NBA superstar DeMarcus Cousins states that his former team, the Sacramento kings are dishonest for not properly informing him of the trade involving him and the new Orleans pelicans which occurred just minutes  after a Sunday Night  All Star Game.
    Cousins stated that what disappointed him the most about the trade was the fact that the Sacramento kings did not inform him earlier before the trade was announced. Although cousins disclosed that he has no ill feelings towards his former team but he just stated that he should have properly been informed about the trade. ”I’m not sour, I’m not mad, I don’t have any hard feelings,” Cousins said. “This is a business and these types of things happen. I’m comfortable with it, I’m in a good place, and I’m ready to get to work”.
    Cousins also disclosed his excitement about playing alongside another superstar and longtime friend (Anthony Davis) in the New Orleans Pelicans. Cousins told reporters during a press conference that he perceives that his and Davis’ gameplay complement each other and their combined strength will be one of the best thing that happens to the New Orleans Pelicans. He stated: “being together , I think, is gonna make both of our jobs easy. I’m excited for the opportunity. I think we can wreak havoc on this league”.
    Anthony Davis even stated that he and Cousins are very close. Davis stated; “Actually, we’re gonna go to dinner tonight. Since Kentucky, he came back and played when I was there,  and we got close ever since. I remember he was trying to teach me some moves when I was in college when he came down and played with us. And just throughout the course of the years we’ve both been in the league, it was always fun going up against him. Like I said, he’s kind of like my big brother and we just try and depend on each other”.
    The basic details about the kings/pelicans trade states that the New Orleans pelicans get DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi while the Sacramento kings get Buddy Heild, Tyreke Evans and Langston Galloway.


Tokunbo-peters Seun Anthony
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