NOVEMBER 26, 2016

McLaren switched focus to 2017 in July says Alonso

Fernando Alonso says he will not miss the F1 era that will end with the chequered flag on Sunday.

Fernando Alonso says he will not miss the F1 era that will end with the chequered flag on Sunday.

When asked about the grip offered by the sandy Abu Dhabi layout, the Spaniard told EFE news agency it has little to do with the desert location.

"The grip is like driving in the rain, as in recent grands prix," he said.

"It's not the sand, it's the tyres. They're very slow. In the long runs we will do 1.47, the same as GP2," Alonso added.

If the Spaniard sounds frustrated, it could be because he admits McLaren turned its attention to the 2017 season some 12 races ago.

"Things have not changed much," said Alonso when asked about the Abu Dhabi pecking order.

"The first six are in another category, Williams and Force India fight for Q3 and we are in a group of the other teams.

"From Silverstone or thereabouts we were focusing on 2017," he revealed.

(GMM)