Johnny Herbert believes McLaren could find themselves at the back end of the grid when the new Formula One season gets under way . The Woking-based marque have struggled to put in the pre-season testing miles due to a number of issues with their new car - with Honda returning to the sport and providing their first attempt at a current F1 power unit . With other teams pounding around Jerez and Barcelona collecting valuable data and information ahead of the season opener in Melbourne on March 15 , McLaren have often found their car back in the garage with one fault or another . The McLaren car could struggle at the start of the season , reckons Johnny Herbert . Herbert fears for McLaren . Add to that the fact two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will not be racing in Australia after crashing out at high-speed in Barcelona and it has not been the best reunion for McLaren and Honda - with Herbert tipping them to really struggle in the opening rounds . 'There is definitely a chance of that , ' Herbert said when asked if the eight-time constructors ' champions could find themselves behind a host of other teams this year . 'So many cars have improved . The middle of the pack seems very close . Lotus seem better , Sauber look better . Ferrari look faster than they were last year as well - Red Bull and Toro Rosso , also . 'The middle pack is tight but we have n't seen the McLaren setting their best times so we do n't know where they will be . 'The run of over 100 laps ( from Button in Barcelona ) put them in the middle of that pack - is that a true showing of their pace ? We really do n't know . 'We do n't know the whole grid order because I do n't think everyone has shown their full hand and , unfortunately for McLaren and everyone else , I do n't think Mercedes have either . ' With the news that Alonso , re-signed to the team after the Spaniard left Ferrari , will be sitting out of the curtain-raiser after his mysterious crash has only added to McLaren 's issues - with Herbert questioning why the rekindled relationship with Honda has got off to such an underwhelming start . 'McLaren have been a disappointment so far , ' the former Benetton and Stewart driver told the Press Association . Fernando Alonso will miss the curtain-raiser in Australia after his horrific crash in Barcelona . 'You were thinking `` Honda have come back and are back with McLaren again . They had all the success in the late 80s and they had last year to look and see what was going on - they saw other manufacturers having to overcome issues whilst they were working on their engine . 'All of these issues they have had have made it really difficult for them to get any serious running whatsoever . They have had a mass of problems that have n't helped them . 'It is sad news that Fernando will not be in Australia - everything has gone against them so far . 'The preparation is something that maybe was n't to the high standards than Ron Dennis is always after . 'This is something that should have been ready , the new Honda relationship and moving it forward with Jenson and Fernando . 'If it all comes together they might get a good result but it is going to be hard in the opening couple of races - the hardest of their careers . '
Johnny Herbert believes McLaren could find themselves at the back end of the grid when the F1 season starts . McLaren have often found their car back in the garage with one fault or another . The team has been plagued by reliability issues this year, and it is understood that a number of drivers are unhappy about how they feel the cars handle on track.