Times Online
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Fernando Alonso, the former double Formula One world champion, has left McLaren.
Alonso, who won the title in 2005 and 2006, is now free to sign for another team next season after being released by the team.
"Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out," Alonso said in a statement released by McLaren.
Ron Dennis, the McLaren team principal, 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."
Alonso, who left Renault to join McLaren and had two years left on his deal, is reported to be ready to return to drive for the French manufacturer next season.
The 26-year-old Spaniard, who finished third in the world championship behind rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's new champion Kimi Raikkonen, has had a strained relationship with the Woking-based team.
Alonso launched a critical attack on the team last week in the aftermath of the Brazilian Grand Prix. In an interview with a Spanish radio, Alonso said: “McLaren got it wrong. They lost the championship for the mistaken decisions they made in the second part of the season. It isn’t a secret that they haven’t helped me much, and it wasn’t a well-organised season from the point of view of the management.
“There was no sensation of being a team and the result speaks for itself. Each person will have to draw their own lessons from this season, but if we had taken a different approach we would have obtained different results.”
At the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, Alonso threatened Dennis with divulging the contents of his email inbox to the FIA in relation to the Ferrari-McLaren spy saga unless he was granted number one status.
It resulted in a furious row between the pair, with Dennis conceding at the hearing of the spy case last month they were no longer on speaking terms.
Dennis then stated after the Chinese Grand Prix a fortnight ago in which Hamilton slid into gravel on severely-worn tyres that the team were not competing against Raikkonen, but against Alonso.
“What the boss said after China about the team racing against me and not Kimi was a clear declaration of intentions,” Alonso said. “In the last few races my hands and feet were tied. I had no power to make decisions. I had to race as they told me.”
Alonso’s hopes of a move to Ferrari looked to have been dashed last month with the announcement by the Scuderia that they are retaining the services of Felipe Massa until the end of 2010.
Given that Ferrari have Kimi Raikkonen on their books until the end of 2009, the decision appears to make it impossible for Alonso to switch from McLaren to the Italian team, either this winter or in 12 months’ time.
That decision left Alonso with only two realistic options: either to stay at McLaren for what he has termed “another beautiful battle” with Lewis Hamilton, his championship rival, or to make a long-term move this winter back to Renault.
The best guess is that Alonso will do a swap with Heikki Kovalainen, the Finnish rookie who drives for Renault, who will drive alongside Hamilton at McLaren. The big danger for Alonso is that he will find himself in a team at Renault who may still be off the pace of the Ferraris and the McLarens next season, heralding a potentially barren spell for the Spaniard.
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I was a huge Fernando fan so I am sorry for the problems he experienced (and created) this year. I think this result is the best for everyone.
Another benefit is that readers of Times Online will no longer have to endure such unpleasant input from Fernando's partisan army from Espagne! Good luck to you all ...
Antoine, Nice, France
that's all folks..!good luck fernando,the pit lane is waiting for you to demostrate the next year who is the best driver on the track.
Albert Rey, Barcelona,
Am I missing something here, or are the Spanish fans of FA inhabiting an alternative reality? One does not have to be very smart to realise that MacLaren's team culture is totally alien to FA's mindset, where FA saw himself as the main man when the season began and everybody else at MacLaren saw him as one of two drivers. MacLaren have always encouraged drivers to compete on an equal basis, which seems fair enough to most of us!
Kiwi Expat, London, Middlesex
One thing is clear, the Poms have lost the World "whingeing"
championship to joint champions Spain and Australia.
Douglas gabbey, Los Angeles, USA/Northern Ireland
those who say that Mclaren is 100% equal, know nothing about F1.
Prost, Montoya, Coulthard ex Mclaren drivers said:
Its impossible to be equal, there is always a better strategy and if you have 2 drivers, you must choose who is going to get
keep moaning about Alonso, but who are you going to blame next year?
How long do you think will take hamilton before he move to another team after a row with ron?
jordi, bournemouth, uk
Farewell Alonso, you are a petulant, peurile diva. You had a rookie make you look average and you couldn't live ith it.
Yes we will see how good Hamilton is next year. Alonso did not design, build and develop this years car, contrary to the xenophobic views expressed here. Lets see how fast he can make the 'slower than a Williams' Renault next year. How will his ego react to starting lower than 8th every race? As Patrick Head said, he has shown himself to be no sportsman this year.
Alan, Yorkshire,
2 rookies don´t make one champion. Hamilton never will be a champion. Mclaren has let go his best driver he had in years.
I dare Hamilton to do the same as great champions of F1 did start and become champion with the car who dosn´t have the highest buget? spoil brat!
Javier Carranza, Berlin, Germany
Good riddance you daft fud. No more whingeing about everyone in the whole team.
Tim, Dundee, Scotland
Fernando always wanted to drive a Mclaren, but when he could he discovered that this people were trying to make a Ferrari. What a comedown!
So now he just has the hope to drive a Ferrari, the real one. Dennis has shown what a great manager he is. His prestige is incredibly high.
Ray, Barcelona,
Now Alonso has finally gone , will someone go and pick up all his toys off the floor and put them back in his pram for him.....
Adrian, aldershot, England
Shumi, and Senna wasn´t first every time they raced. It didn´t meant than the other pilots were better pilots, that´s the same case with Fernando and more, as probably would happen next year, with a non competitive car.
But the great pilots demonstrate to others, that can racing in worst conditions than the others and sometimes make better results to the others even with worst machines, or as in the case of HAMON, WITH MORE SIUPPORT FROM HIS OWN TEAM, "we raced against Alonso not Ferrari" Ron Said, not Fernado, nor Me.
Alonso 109=HAMON 109. EQUAL.
Maybe next year won't be the best for Fernando, but that will not make HAMON better pilot, he just failed to win this year being the easyest time to do it, as Ron said "in past and upcoming 10 years". Hoppefully next year HAMON limitations will arise in a huge way because he had to start with a brand new car to be developed and to be setup copying nothing from a better pilot.
MC and Lewiss will miss Alonso, but I preffer Alonso out MC.
Jose Balseiros Rabanal, Oviedo, Spain
Drake de Sousa.
Just to let you know tha to have a not so good car makes a huge difference. Alonso was able to win 2 titles with not the best car in the grid first time was MC and Second Ferrari, but he put the diference, as he did tis year bringing 0.6 sec to the car wich put to figth against Ferrari. Hopefully next year he´ll make again. Quite dificult.
Without Fernado in MC this year would be a Ferrari year four races before Brasil. No doubt. With Alonso leading the chase of the title MC had become the champion some GP before Brasil Too.
Drake you had mistaken the facts. HAM in Hungary have throw Fernado´s toys out of MC´s pram, when it was time to Fernado to play with them. HAMON had stolen the extra lap in Q3, that lap (TOY) had to be to Fernado to race with (to play with) and HAM with the consent of his "father" (RON) started to battled Fernado instead of Ferrari. Alonso told "TONTO-RON" in HGRY that managing this way the team Raikonne will win the title. Alonso was rigth.
Jose Balseiros Rabanal, Oviedo, Spain
Shumi, and Senna wasn´t first every time they raced. did It meant than the other pilots were better pilots?, that´s the same case with Fernando and more, as probably would happen next year, with a non competitive car.
But the great pilots demonstrate to others, that can racing in worst conditions than the others and sometimes make better results to the others even with worst machines, or as in the case of HAMON, WITH MORE SIUPPORT FROM HIS OWN TEAM, "we raced against Alonso not Ferrari" Ron Said, not Fernado, nor Me.
Alonso 109=HAMON 109.
Maybe next year won't be the best for Fernando, but that will not make HAMON better pilot, he just failed to win this year being the easyest time to do it, as Ron said "in past and upcoming 10 years".
Hoppefully next year HAMON limitations will arise, in a huge way, because he had to start with a brand new car to be developed and to be setup and copiying nothing from a better pilot. MC and Lewiss will miss Alonso, but I preffer Alonso out of MC
Jose Balseiros Rabanal, Oviedo, Spain
That`s Great! I am glad Alonso could leave Mclaren without problems. Mclaren does not deserve having Fernando Alonso, one of the greatest ever formula 1 driver. No matter what, I will always support Fernando!
Suzie, Los Angeles, USA/CA.
I still cannot believe Alonso walking off McLaren so easily....
Despite being a two-time F1 champion, Alonso has shown a completely lack of respect to a team like McLaren and above this to Ron Dennis.
Let's see what happens next year if next's Alonso vehicle perfomance is not enought to be competitive... he will blame everyone but him
Cheers
Daniel Gomez, Madrid , Spain
Alonso has shown himself to be a little kid throwing his teddys out the pram. What a loser. He wont will another world title and will be lucky to win another race.
He was all smiles after a couple of races when he thought he has Lewis sorted but when lewis raised his game, ALonso rasied his whinging.
Shame Alonso will be remembered as such a spoilt little kid. Shame on you.
Neil O'Sullivan, Hertfordshire, England
Absolutely the best thing Fernando can do. McLaren's dishonesty towards him is something Hamilton's next team 'mate' should take into account before signing, as well as David Coulthard's autobiography.
McLaren's alleged policiy of equality is just a myth. As Alain Prost and other former F1 champions have said, had Alonso been treated the way he deserved as a double champion, he would now be celebrating his third championship -whether Ron Dennis, some British press and fans like it or not. Chauvinism is a word of French origin, but of British usage and abusage. Will you ever stop looking down on anyone else that doesn't suit your taste?
Carlos, Benalmadena, Spain
Perhaps his managers can do a proper job this time and work out with the new team managers before the contract is signed exactly what the sullen dour brat expects from the team and his team mate to support his ego. And smile for gods sake.
John, HK,
Thanks God! The only worthy thing McLaren has done this season.The best end for Alonso.
Well, Rahul I think that LH fits better in Sylar's role: at the beginning - the presentation of McLaren team in Valencia - he introduced himself as the rookie who wanted to learn side by side FA, the really youngest "BI"champion, in the same way Sylar was the good boy's mummy...At the end, he has recognized that his goal was beating Alonso...at any cost...He doesn't drive to be 2nd - in the same way Sylar kills his mummy -.Who has to learn humility?."me , me, me"?.Didn't you watch Interlagos race? Why didn't LH win Championship? Please.
I hope next season, LH willingly accepts - as the humble not still proved champion he is- that his new teammate enjoys equal status and he can challenge him every race.As you say, Kubika'd be a good option because he's a great driver. It would be an excellent chance too to prove that having a tuned car is another factor to become the best rookie ever.
Silvia, Barcelona, Spain
It is going to be funny to watch what Hamilton can do the next season without the data and the experience of Alonso, so funny as to see how much time McLaren will be able to retain the money of spanish sponsors Santander and Mutua.
For the people that believes that Ron Dennis gives equal treatment to his drivers, this is what Coulthard has to say, "The first sign that there might be specific favouritism towards Mika came in Melbourne 1996 . I was with my race engineer and Mika was chatting to his.The door opened and Ron [Dennis] walked in. I stood up to shake his hand and Ron ignored me. Instead he strode over to sit next to Mika and said, "What's the plan, guys?" We all listened to Mika's plans [for the race] and then Ron said, "OK, what are they doing?" Here was my team principal talking about me as if I was a rival team. "They" is not a word you use in a team situation, surely? "
Despite continual assurances to the contrary, it took Dennis a few years to admit it.
Carlos, Bilbao, Spain
Serbia fans are with you Fernando !!!
nemanja, belgrade, serbia
The fact is that Raikonnen left last year McLaren because of Ron Dennis. And now is 200 World Champion.
With the atittude problems of Ron Dennis the best you can do is leave them along, so very good news that F. Alonso is free.
The fact is write down on british media, like ITV-F1 with is a shame of sport-media, given the picture of a double World Champion with insults, with no respect at all. Not even Ecclestone. That say a lot about you british.
The fact is McLaren is has 2 World Champions almost suck in two years, what a great manager is Ron Dennis!!!
I think Fernando make a mistake the same day he decide go to McLaren, but now this nightmare is History. Fernando manage the pressure once more time like anybody does, but you for you all this is nothing because is spanish, thats all. What a great mind!!!!
We´ll see the future, for now you have nothing but frustration and anger, that´s all you have. Championship was in your hands and you loose it for another ex-McLaren driverm, wow!
Tocam Elas Pelotas, Madrid, Spain
For those of you for whom F1 started with Hamilton: let me remind you that Alonso won 2 world championships by beating one of the best drivers ever, Schumaher, who was driving a Ferrari, the best cars ever. And for those of you who claim there was impartiality at McLaren: "We were basically racing Alonso, not Kimi". How easily you forget... GO ALONSO !!!
Eva, Gijon, Spain
You talk and talk about what Fernando Alonso has to do, to say, to bla bla bla.
But tell me about PERFORMANCE, my friends...
is a pleasure to whach him drive... who beat the Kaiser on track?
He have NOTHING to prove, nothing.
FERNANDO ALONSO is a double World Champion, remember that !
And is not three times because of british attitude problems. You don´t like this ?, I don´t either.
Who has to prove that is Champion are, except Fernado and Kimi, all the rest !!
Ankitsa, Madrid, Spain
I think McLaren is making a huge mistake.
In late years they seem to have damaged several really good driver careers.
This one is the most noticeable. And with Raikkonnen's new championship after having spent 5 years at McLaren seems to say: "If you want to win championships, forget McLaren, go to Ferrari".
Let's see what happens next year, but, from my point of view it doesn't look good not just to Fernando, but for McLaren as well.
AJ, Toronto,
Looking forward to no more Spanish nonsense on this blog.
Pity he could not stay at McLaren - now we will have the "but his car is not as good" or other excuses.
Alonso had the chance to be a great driver and go down in history - unfortunately he has spoilt that by throwing his toys out of his pram.
He will always be a great driver, not as good as Hamilton or Kimi but still great - but he has lost support outside of Spain.
And Ian, Sydney - Mercedes is not British, neither was Mr Mclaren and neither is the Arab who owns 40%!!!!!
Drake de Sousa, London (formally Lisbon), UK
Fernando Alonso is a great driver, but a difficult man to work with I guess.
He will still be fighting for a 3rd title next year and in the years to come. Only those who know nothing about F1 can deny that.
There is a bunch of so called "experts" out there that probably couldn't make a difference between a go-kart and a F1 before Lewis Hamilton appeared earlier this year ;-)
Future will prove me right...
Pat, Faversham, Kent
Red Bull...gives you whinge? (Just ask webber)
kj, Sorrento, Italy
Two reasons why Lewis should go to Spyker:
1. He cannot handle the pressure. All he needed to do to finish the job was to finish fourth in two races with a car that at worst can finish fourth. And HE BLEW IT!
2. He cannot remain calm if he is not ahead. He's made mistakes in Nurburgring, Turkey, China, Brazil, and was lucky with the rail in Monaco. He did a good job in Japan and Canada when he was first all the time. So if he moved to a bad team he would learn how it is to start in the back of the grid and get used to have cars ahead of him. This is how Fernando became a phenomenal driver in Minardi. And this is why Vettel will be a world champion when he gets a good car.
Pau, Barcelona,
This is the best Fernando can do. Possibly 2008 will be a lost season wherever he goes, but he can help improve the car greatly.
Now we will see who wants to drive in McLaren and their "policy of equality" between a british driver in a british team and someone else. I have high hopes for Kovalainen, though.
And now I am going to withdraw all my savings from Banco Santander. I hope all spanish readers will follow.
Pau, Barcelona,
Great news, Alonso will have a team that listen to him and will improve a lot, as mclaren did. It is gonna be hard for mclaren to be beaten by a second class car improved to death and an excellent driver. In regular places, people quit when they do wrong or the are not happy, Fernando was not happy where is Dennis resignation? for the bad job, sure!!!
It is going to be even worst for him, when Alonso starts winning with renault.
What a shame dennis!!.
cheers
Tom Peters, huxley,
They build cars to fit the driver so who can build one with room for an inflated ego the size of Alonsos. He would have won whinger of the year. Bring on 2008.
mike gee, bournemouth, uk
Ian, I can't believe an Aussie is whingeing about the Brits again...and it's not even rugby!
John, Sandwich, UK
To Matt, London
Every time I read (in the British press, by the way) that FA threatened or blackmailed RD I wonder if there are any proof of it beside RD words. Usually when you made such a strong statement you have to prove it, sometimes in court. Otherwise you are attacking the image of somebody. Have I lost something?
Feli, Granada, Spain
It´s better to be the thead of a mouse, than be treated as the tail of a lion. Yes fernado is going to leave a team like MC, he leaves, not for wanting better treatament, he just wait the least he desrves, the same as his team mate. Yes the team mate that demostrates that he didn´t deserve all the support he got from the team, as he failed twice, yes in China for had get to fast to the pit lane wtih destroyed tyres, in that corner was him who failed not the team and in Brasil with the pit buttom. He colud be the world champion just finishing any of the races behind Alonso. Was his mistake both times. Alonso in his position would had become world champion. He wouldn´t failed so misserable. In Spain we said he had "miedo a perder = Scare to win" and he got it twiced, after china he kept saying no problem that make me stronger, in Brasil i'll become WCHM, yes he still keeps saying it for next year. Lets see next year without Fernando in the team, making him better than he actually is.
José Balseiros Rabanal, Oviedo, Spain
Shumi, and Senna wasn´t first every time they raced. It didn´t meant than the other pilots were better pilots, that´´s the same case with Fernando and more, as probably would happen next year, with a non competitive car.
But the great pilots demonstrate to others, that can racing in worst conditions than the others and sometimes make better results to the others even with worst machines, or as in the case of HAMON, WITH MORE SIUPPORT FROM HIS OWN TEAM, "we raced against Alonso not Ferrari" Ron Said, not Fernado, nor Me. Alonso 109=HAMON 109.
Maybe next year won't be the best for Fernando, but that will not make HAMON better pilot, he just failed to win this year being the easyest time to do it, as Ron said "in past and upcoming 10 years". Hoppefully next year HAMON limitations will arise in a huge way because he had to start with a brand new car to be developed and to be setup without copiying nothing from a better pilot. MC and Lewiss will miss Alonso, but I preffer Alonso out.
José Balseiros Rabanal, Oviedo, Spain
time to prove what you are able to, Fernando.
accept Toyota's challenge and make world champion a second line team!
noone will doubt you are the best
jose, Alicante, Spain
Very well done Fernando. You do not deserve to be among those idiots that have lost the championship in the last moment. Que los follen.
Carlos Lopez, Murcia, Spain
Too bad he didn't left earlier. He will not be missed. And you, spaniards, will thankfully start pestering the french newspapers when your hero starts teething over there.
anders, oslo, norway
The fact is that, as Ed Gorman said it, FA is a formidable competitor and most likely the best driver nowadays. For Mclaren its really bad to lose FA. And for FA it is not good either, even worst, to move out of Mclaren. Mclaren (RD, MW, NH and LH) did not manage to convince FA to trust them. Obviously they were not interested to do it. If they had tried it they just would have got it. Would'nt they? Perhaps they were surprised by LH's performance and thought they did not need not FA any longer. Mclaren did not treat FA right. Do Mclaren really expect us to believe otherwise?
Carlos Sánchez-Ocaña, Madrid, Spain
Well done Fernando, best move you could have made! I for one have sold BOTH my Merc's.
Ron & his cronies do not deserve you in their team, they do not know your worth!
You deserve better, & with 'Ron McLaren you will only fail!
I will be in Spain next season to cheer you on mate!
GO ALONSO!!
ARTGEE, Durban, South Africa
I think Mc Laren made a wrong decission helping so much Hamilton and racing Fernando instead ferrari.
alonso is a big lost for McLaren. Alonso made performances to his cars thinking of being there for 3 years. Mc laren has good cars now because of him.
i am happy Alonso is going to another team, because I esnt to see Hamilton next year.
If Alonso won Shumacher in a ferrari with a renault I think he will be able to win the championship next year in a renault too, althoght Mc Laren and Ferrari have much better cars nowadays.
An don't forget that last year Alonso in a Reanult won kimmi in a McLaren. this year kimmi wan in a ferrai and Mc Laren lost again.
Lets see next year. it's a shame taht Alonso made so good to McLaren for nothing, but he will do goos to another team too and all of us will profite of his movements.
good luck Fernando!!
Claire, Paris,
It's ridiculous to say that Hamilton only turned in the times he did with Alonso's help. That's like saying Alonso didn't have access to his own data.
Same car, same team, quicker times. Speaks for itself really.
Alan B., Vancouver, BC Canada
Fernando Alonso is like Sylar in Heroes, always me, me me... Maclaren also screwed it up by not handling him in a way a world champion is supposed to be handled. But Alonso forgot, being the world champion he had to be humble. Dennis should take all the blame and perhaps quit this team otherwise next season they will be stuck with Hamilton and some rookie driver who may not be as good as Hamilton. Mosley put it correctly on that Hamilton was over hyped, we cannot have another me star. Hamilton is a good driver, but he is yet to prove himself as a champion which Kimi is as of now. May be next year Kubica or Rosberg should be given the chance with Maclaren with Hamilton.
Rahul Sachdeva, Dublin, Ireland
Raikkonen,Alonso,Hamilton in 3 diferents teams.I forecast a fantastic next season. I wish all the best to Alonso!!
David, Barcelona, Spain
best thing possible... for Ferrari. Now, wiithout Alonso's help McLaren will return the third team, competing with Red Bull and Williams. Hope to see the Brit rookie to fail again without someone who'd develope the car: it's all he deserves!
paolo, milano, italy
Congratulations Fernando. Well done . The door is now open for your third world champion tittle.
As for setting up Hamilton's car ? No doubt daddy ' we' will do a splendid job .
John H, London,
The best decision possible, good luck Fernando for next year!
Peter, Budapest,
The best decision possible, good luck Fernando for next year!
Peter, Budapest,
Well I wouldnt employ Alonso, there is no 'I' in team and that 'I' is Alonso's favourite word. If he is not winning he is blaming everyone else and having tantrum. Lets face it a rookie (and I dont like him either) didnt win the title, but did beat him
David Parker, Swindon, UK
Nice to see Ian in Sydney still smarting from the fact that "Dad's Army 2" (England Rugby) dumped the Aussies out of the RWC for the third time in four tournaments!!!
Get over it loser!
However back to Alonso, I feel deeply sorry for the guy not because I believe any of the rubbish that has been posted here, in particular that from the misguided Spanish fans, but the fact that he had convinced himself that he was not given the same treatment as his rookie team mate, a situation I do not believe that McClaren would put themselves in, I don't think he was prepared for his team mate to perform as well as he did the rest of the stuff going on was a distraction I think he could do without particullarly as he was the new man in the team.
In time he will rise back to the top because he is without doubt a fantastic driver and has been an outstanding double world champion, Hamilton on the other hand has a very long way to go to reach Alonso's level, lets see how they performs next year.
Chris, Weston super Mare, England
I Hope MaClaren get following seasons the same result as the SUBARU team got after Carlos Sainz left the team. After him had prepared a winner car, SUBARU preffered to support team mate Colin MacRae to win the title. After Carlos left the team Subaru chances to win titles dismished. Colin was a fast pilot some times but Carlos and Alonso had better balance in what its needed to win titles, almost any pilot can win a race, even Jason Button did it.
Both times Carlos Sainz and Alonso prepared the winner cars to race, but political team desitions make them team second choices to win the title. One diference between both cases Colin won the title and HAMON failed misserable to it.
One thing would make me, Not Alonso, happy and rewarded from the treatment Alonso received this year. That is, seeing the team and TONTO-RON´S kid, MISSING the chances to win what Alonso brougth to team, with profesional and state of the art way to work for the to team and of course for himself not for HAM
José Balseiros Rabanal, Oviedo, Spain
Can we all just get back to racing now? There's been more than enough drama this season. I'm actually glad that neither Lewis nor Fernando won the title. Kimi stuck to racing and pulled through in the end.
Jacky, Los Angeles, CA
Alonso will show what he is made of. Let there be no doubt about it. He has seen it, done it and also worn the tee shirt. He will probably prove what he is capable of with a team where he will be numero uno.
Presh, Wadebridge Cornwall,
Ron Dennis might run a good company but he never fails to leave a bad taste in my mouth. Sided with Senna against Prost and Hamilton against Alonso. Maybe, he needs to step aside (Retire)
and let the Profesionals run the team.
The world of F1 will be a better place without Dennis and Mosley
Tony
Aliso Viejo, California
Tony Ashford, Aliso Viejo, California, USA
The parting of ways spells relief for at least three people: Fernando, Lewis and Ron.
I hope all three of them fare well next year, but my first guess is that at least two of them will be performing worse than this year.
As far as the third one is concerned, Ron Dennis can't get any worse at team management so the only way left for him is to improve.
Michel Angstadt, Serranillos del Valle, (Madrid) Spain
Well done Alonso! . Who will fix the car for hamilton next year?. People realize who is the good one........!
kate, london,
Hmmm - well some wild comments! For a start, Mansell drove some truly awful cars. His spell at Ferrari in a car that was unreliable, widely acknowledged not to handle well at all and had a savage power delivery showed his skill level clearly and the ferrari fans loved him for it. I'm not at all sure how Hamilton can be described as 'Average' except by people grinding their own axe. No matter what you think of Mclaren, the sport or the personalities - Hamilton can certainly drive, and I used to teach racing, so I know what I am talking about.
Hamilton and McLaren will have no excuse next year. Neither will Alonso - the old 'it's my car, my team, the sport' arguements only work for a while. Alonso can drive for certain too, so let's see him in a good car battling at the front!
paul, Milton Keynes, UK
Next year will see the real value of some calld Hamilton. This year we have only seen what can do someone using all the work of someone else: Alonso.
And, if things go as other years, McLaren will see Fernando on the front, and Fernando will see MacLaren on the mirrors.
Alberto, Oviedo, Spain
in my opinion Its a shame he couldnt stay - would have been great to see the three way battle for the championship again. I do however worry about Lewis. Jenson had a great first season but he was drawn into the world of showbiz and liufestyle and his form suffered. I hope Hamilton curbs his showbiz appearences and lifestyle and concentrate on becoming not only a fast driver but also a technically excellent driver.
mashood, London, UK
Well done, Fernando! It is absurd to be in a team where you marginalize.
You go and without pay any money. 35 millions ⬠save...
And next year, that they sort it out as best they can.
Go on Toyota and get money. After, go to Ferrari and get championships F-1.
LH will be the next "Jason Button".
Bad luck, Ron, Lewis and Ed.
Julio, Jaén, Spain
please le him go to Ferrari as number 2 to Kimi so that he can learn some humility and sportsmanship
nimbus, hong kong,
I agree with Ian from Sydney. Alonso has done the best possible thing in leaving Mclaren Mercedes. The main regret is that the team, in the hearings and on track, has been getting away with whatever they please. For the sake of the sport, I hope next year the rules will be enforced!
Dwayne, Fukuoka, Japan
By best, do you mean 3rd? And probably lower next year, and probably the year after as well. Shame. Makes you wonder what he's going to threaten his new team with. At least he'll probably be made number one wherever he goes, coz little Fernando doesn't like competition now, does he?
Matt, London,
Come on then Spain, tell us why it's so unfair that your boy is going to have to drive a Red Bull next year.
All he deserves the miserable winge machine
Rick, Dubai, UAE
Best thing that could of happened - just like Hill and Mansell - Hamilton is average in a car that is 50% better than the rest and he couldn't win. Should have made the 50 worst!
Alonso was obvioulsy held back just to keep the British press and fans interested - talk about a fix! If it wasn't a sport "owned" by the Brits the whole world would have been outragged - bigger things to worry about than F1 I guess.
Ian, Sydney,
Mc Claren will be stronger without Alonso. No team wants a man like this in their midst. Let him trail along in the minor positions with Renault. (a team I admire, given their fiscal limitations) Maybe Alonso can relearn some humility and team spirit. May be he can become fit again to challenge for the ulitimate racing title.
Ian Nicholas, walton on Thames, Surrey
It's a pitty things have to end this way, but he cannot risk his career staying in McLaren and receiving the same unfair treatment. From my point of view the team has ruined his oportunities of being WDC for the third time in a row. And all for nothing... Well done, Fernando.
Feli, Granada, Spain
Great get Jenson Button on board.
Bring it on Spain!
GrinGrin, Manchester, UK
Well done Fernando! They will miss you at Mcl. Next in the future someone at Woking will suddenly remember that you were double WDC with "a renault" against Ferrari and themselves.
And LH will have to cope next year without FA setups and without drive control help.
pangloss, Madrid, Spain
oe, oe ,oe ,oe bye bye ron, bye bye mclaren, bye bye mercedes (and mercedes´s sales downing in spain) and we will see you next season Hamilton into mirrors, loser!!!!!!!
joaquin, london,
Is the best of Fernando can do.
AnJel, Zaragoza, España