McLaren are preparing for a tough season-opening weekend in Melbourne and arrive with a number of unknowns, according to racing director Eric Boullier. Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso completed a combined 780 laps over two weeks in Barcelona but the Honda-powered team failed to complete their full pre-season testing programme.McLaren are set to trial their 2016 package in Fridays practice at the Australian GP, and Boullier said: Its been a very long winter, and I know that I can speak on behalf of the whole McLaren-Honda team when I say that we cant wait to go racing again! We are certainly a step ahead of where we were this time last year in terms of preparation. That said, we didnt manage to complete our final configuration and set-up work for the first race, so we go to Melbourne with a number of unknowns. It wont be an easy start to the weekend in that sense, since well need to concentrate on setting the car up for each session and readying the final specification of our package as soon as we get to Albert Park.The results of the MP4-31 from testing seem to point at improved reliability, but it still remains to be seen where McLaren will find themselves in the pecking order.The team endured their worst season in 30 years in 2015 and finished the second pre-season test with a time which was two seconds adrift of Ferraris leading pace. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here. Alonso has vowed not to make any predictions for the first race at Albert Park while Button is hoping to see the new rules for the 2016 season help produce more unpredictable results.This is the first chance for us to compare ourselves on similar set-ups, Button said. Weve been concentrating heavily on our own development and processes, so Im looking forward to seeing where we are on a level playing field. Melbourne will certainly be a challenge, but our package definitely feels like a step forward from last year. There are so many more variables this year - new qualifying format, new tyre regulations, and Australia usually produces unpredictable races, so anything could happen!The first race of the 2016 F1 season, the Australian GP, is exclusively live on Sky Sports F1. The race in Melbourne starts at 5am on Sunday March 20. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: The Formula 1 gossip column Every race live in 2016: Get Sky F1 Morgan Burnett Jersey . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. Blake Martinez Jersey . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. http://www.authenticfootballshoppackers.com/Black-Friday-Don-Barclay-Jersey/ . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Randall Cobb Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Kentrell Brice Jersey . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. LATROBE, Pa. -- Running back?LeVeon Bell?apologized to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the distraction of his looming four-game suspension, but he was generally vague about the issue when addressing the media Thursday at training camp.The Steelers expect to hear back on Bells appeal in mid-August, coach Mike Tomlin said. ESPNs Dan Graziano reported last Friday that Bells suspension is the result of missed drug tests, not failed tests.I want to apologize to Steeler Nation, all the fans and players and coaches for being a distraction to this whole situation, Bell said in a brief opening statement. I dont, obviously, want to be a distraction, but this whole situation, the appeal, is going to run its course.Bell, who served a two-game suspension last season after being pulled over with possession of marijuana in 2014, said he was frustrated when he first learned about this punishment in March. But the back is letting his reps and the NFLPA handle the case. He said he understands some will believe he has character issues after two off-field incidents, but said that isnt something he can control.Bell declined to comment when asked about details of the suspension, citing the ongoing appeal process.Like Bell, Tomlin said he wants a resolution before coommenting further.ddddddddddddAnything I say prior to that is simply speculation, the coach said.Guard David DeCastro acknowledged it is frustrating for a contending team to lose players. In addition to losing Bell, who leads all running backs with 119 yards from scrimmage per game since 2013, wide receiver Martavis Bryant received a yearlong suspension over multiple drug-testing violations.Were used to it, sadly, DeCastro said of the losses. You have all this talent and you start losing guys like that. Its tough. But guys step up.DeAngelo Williams, who rushed for 11 touchdowns in Bells absence last season, is Bells primary backup.On a positive note, Bell was not listed on the teams physically unable to perform list and is ready to practice less than