An underwhelming return to Formula One for Honda last year came to a head at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix when McLaren's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said his Japanese-built engine was "embarrassing" over team radio for all the world to hear.
With McLaren-Honda returning for the Suzuka race this weekend, the lone Japanese F1 engine manufacturer wants no repeat of that PR disaster, and recent good results mean there is an air of positivity around the team, Alonso included.
"Let's say we are happy with the progress we made this year and definitely we are able to fight with some competitive teams," the Spaniard, a 16-year F1 veteran, said Thursday.