The McLaren Formula One team today announced that it came to an agreement with Fernando Alonso that it would be in the best of interests of both parties to bring the relationship to an end. The Spaniard had an ongoing contract with the Woking based team for another two seasons.
Fernando Alonso will now be on the lookout for a new challenge in Formula 1. It is very likely he will return at Renault. Team boss Flavio Briatore never made a secret of it he loved to see Alonso return at Renault.
"Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out," Alonso said on the announcement. "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 Madrileña and all the other team Partners who I have worked closely with during the year, the best for the future."
Ron Dennis wishes the driver all the best in the future. He said: "Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, especially McLaren's Spanish Partners Banco Santander and Mutua Madrileña 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."
