Alonso is free and relieved

Published : Nov 10, 2007 00:00 IST

Fernando Alonso... it’s all over with McLaren.-AP
Fernando Alonso... it’s all over with McLaren.-AP
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Fernando Alonso... it’s all over with McLaren.-AP

The well-financed Red Bull team, whose chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, is arguably the most highly regarded in Formula One, would probably offer Alonso a one-year contract and could therefore find themselves in pole position to take advantageof his unexpected late availability, writes Tony Dodgins.

Fernando Alonso...

The Red Bull team have emerged as a possible destination for Fernando Alonso after the two-time world champion ended his association with McLaren. Alonso, whose relationship with his team and team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, deteriorated over the course of a turbulent season, is free to join any team of his choosing after deciding to part ways with McLaren, a decision described as “in the best interests of both parties”.

“Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren but sometimes in life things do not work out,” Alonso said. “I continue to believe that McLaren is a great team. Yes, we have had our ups and downs during the season, which has made it extra challenging for all of us, and it is not a secret that I never really felt at home.

“I know there have been suggestions of favouritism within the team and people say a lot of things in the heat of battle but in the end I was always provided with an equal opportunity to win. The decision allows all of us to focus on 2008.”

Ron Dennis, McLaren’s team principal, confirmed: “In the end we reached a stage where none of us could find a way to move forward.”

Alonso was contracted to the end of 2009 and it seemed inconceivable to many in the Formula One paddock that McLaren would release a driver of his calibre on to the open market. That has happened, however, and Alonso’s manager, Luis Garcia, would not be drawn on whether money had been paid to secure his release. “I’ve nothing to say about that but McLaren is happy and Fernando is happy,” he said. “The future is the future and we have only been free a few hours.”

The only team who could offer Alonso a seat as competitive as the one he has just left are Ferrari but they have the new champion, Kimi Raikkonen, and Felipe Massa contracted for 2008. Massa’s contract was recently extended to the end of 2010 but that may not be as clear-cut as it appears. The Brazilian is managed by Nicolas Todt, son of Ferrari’s team principal Jean, and there have been rumours of a rift between Todt Sr and Ferrari’s president, Luca di Montezemolo, who has praised Alonso in the media. Montezemolo is believed to view Raikkonen-Alonso as a Ferrari dream team, even though he recently publicly supported Massa.

Other leading manufacturers have let it be known that a stumbling block to potential negotiations with the Alonso camp is his desire for a one-year contract, furthering speculation that Alonso is bound for Ferrari in 2009. A return to the Renault team, with whom Alonso won his two championships, is the obvious move and the team’s principal, Flavio Briatore, has tabled an offer, although Renault are believed to be seeking a multi-year deal.

The well-financed Red Bull team, whose chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, is arguably the most highly regarded in Formula One, would probably offer Alonso a one-year contract and could therefore find themselves in pole position to take advantage of his unexpected late availability.

“It’s pretty much unprecedented to have a double world champion on the market in November,” a team source said, “but we currently have Mark Webber and David Coulthard under contract for 2008.” Any move for Alonso may, therefore, have implications for Coulthard. The Scot’s management said: “We haven’t heard a word. The team has an obligation to enter David in next year’s championship and, if they are moving for Fernando, I’d like to think we would know.” From the very beginning at McLaren Alonso was unnerved by the pace of the rookie Hamilton, whose position there can only be further strengthened by the Spaniard’s departure. Alonso felt his status should have accorded him priority in matters of team strategy but Dennis insisted the team would not deviate from their policy of equality between drivers.

The deteriorating relationship hit rock bottom in August when Alonso reportedly threatened to inform the sport’s governing body, the FIA, about emails relevant to McLaren’s involvement in the spy saga if Dennis did not acquiesce to his demands. To all intents and purposes that ended the Alonso-McLaren relationship.

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