Local hero Fernando Alonso has predicted McLaren’s MP4-30 “first huge step” forward at the Spanish GP.

“We are all united. We are all grown up and committed to this project” Said Alonso to the F1 website. And he continued, “My prediction is that the next three races will be very interesting for us.

“The steps we’ve made since Melbourne all point in the right direction. We will be working flat out to increase the performance for Barcelona - and the odds indicate that we should”

McLaren have failed to pick up a point in the first four opening rounds of the season (at first-ever for the team) but the team remain positive and convinced of great things to come.

Speaking of things to come, McLaren will also debut a new livery on Barcelona this coming week. But how will it turn out? The team was clear they wouldn’t change colours just for fans or commercial reasons.

Action at the Barcelona-Catalunya track commences this next Friday 8th May.