Formula 1
Fernando Alonso leaves McLaren
The two-time Formula 1 champ
Fernando Alonso has officially left the team of
McLaren-Mercedes.
Fernando
Alonso, two-time Formula 1 Champion, announced on Friday that he
is leaving the McLaren team, after a disappointing season for
the Spaniard. Alonso, who has two more years left on his
contract with McLaren, reached a settlement with the team, which
would allow him to leave without any penalties.
"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
favoritism 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," said the Spanish Formula 1 driver
in a statement to the press.
McLaren's chief Ron Dennis said in a
statement: "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.”
Where will Alonso drive in the future has not been
announced yet, but rumors are that he will go back to Renault.
Fernando Alonso signed with McLaren in 2007 after winning the
title two years in a row with Renault and return to the French
team is the most likely outcome. But Alonso, who finished third
this season in the driver standings after Kimi Räikkönen and
teammate Lewis Hamilton will have to chance to join any team he
wants and all of them will be glad to take him on board.
Published on
11/02/2007
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