NOVEMBER 2, 2007

Alonso and McLaren part ways

In a move that seemed inevitable, two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso will not drive for McLaren-Mercedes next season.

Fernando Alonso, Italian GP 2007
© The Cahier Archive

In a move that seemed inevitable, two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso will not drive for McLaren-Mercedes next season. The team released an announcement stating that following a meeting with Alonso it was agreed that it would be best for all concerned to end the relationship.

Fernando Alonso said, "Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out. 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. Today's decision allows all of us to focus on 2008, and I wish the team, Vodafone, Banco Santander, Mutua Madrilena and all the other team Partners who I have worked closely with during the year, the best for the future."

McLaren team principal Ron Dennis said, "Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, especially McLaren's Spanish Partners Banco Santander and Mutua Madrilena and the team's title partner Vodafone, want to wish Fernando all the best for the future. He is a great driver but for some reason the combination of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Fernando has not really worked out, and in the end we reached a stage where none of us could find a way to move forward. We all believe that our joint decision to part company is for the best, and we will now continue to focus on our 2008 World Championship challenge."