Alonso: ‘2016 still important’

Fernando Alonso believes McLaren should still focus on this year’s car and not switch their entire attention to 2017 just yet.

McLaren have clearly improved after an embarrassing 2015, where they finished ninth in the standings.

And Alonso insists they should still put all of their effort into getting better, despite the need for 2017 research.

“Obviously we want to be fighting for the World Championship,” he said.

“We are not in that position this year and we are making, I think, progress and we are moving in the right direction to achieve that goal in the future but still a long way to go for us.

“Definitely we need to think on next year's car, next year's project and put some focus on there and try to be more competitive next year.

“At the same time we cannot forget 2016 yet because we are only in June, many races to come, many good possibility to score points, to go a little bit higher on the Constructors' Championship that will help the team also for next year.

“And some of the progress and updates we can bring this year will be quite useful for next year as well.

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