Alonso Joins Mclaren For 2007

[Fed up 0]

World champion Fernando Alonso will make a shock switch to McLaren in 2007.

The team announced today the Spaniard will join McLaren after next season but did not say whether he will partner Juan Pablo Montoya or Kimi Raikkonen

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Wow I wasnt expecting that!!!!!!!! I thought he'd be a renault man forever. I dont understand why???? He's got everything he wants and needs at renault, mclaren havent won a title since 1999! WEIRD

[5P33D3V1L 0]

Omg Kimi and Fernando in one team. that year is going to be the new Prost and Senna of the 21th century

[Fed up 0]

Omg Kimi and Fernando in one team. that year is going to be the new Prost and Senna of the 21th century

Me thinks Kimi is off to Ferrari

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Me thinks Kimi is off to Ferrari

that would make sense

[Fed up 0]

Autosport/

Fernando Alonso will make a surprise switch to McLaren in 2007 after deciding to turn his back on the Renault team that helped him capture the Formula One World Championship this year.

The deal comes just days after McLaren announced a major new sponsorship deal with mobile telephone network supplier Vodafone from the start of the 2007 campaign.

Alonso, who had been widely expected to remain with Renault after his contract expired at the end of 2006, said: "To become part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for performance is a dream come true for any Formula One driver.

"I'm very excited about 2007 and the fantastic opportunity to drive for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It will be a new beginning for me and a tremendous challenge and from what I have heard about this exciting new Partnership there is something to look forward to.

"Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come along which are just too good to miss. I'm pleased that we are able to make this announcement already now as it will allow my current team and I to focus 100 per cent on defending the World Championships next year."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis said: "It's great that our strong belief in the strength and competitiveness of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes package has been further endorsed by the World Champion.

"We always make it clear that we want to be the best and the only way of achieving this objective is by attracting the best people, the best drivers and the best sponsors. To be able to announce Vodafone as only McLaren's third title partner in more than 30 years and Fernando's employment within only a few days is fantastic news for the team, our Partners, Formula One and the fans."

The contracts of McLaren's drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen are both up for renewal at the end of the season and the team are is talks with both of them about their future deals. Raikkonen has already been linked with a switch to Ferrari in 2007.

Dennis added: "We are in discussions with our current drivers' Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya regarding the 2007 season.

"Both Juan Pablo and Kimi are extremely talented, professional and competitive Formula One drivers and they have and will continue to concentrate on our joint challenge for the Championships.

"Fernando and McLaren Mercedes wanted to make the announcement as soon as possible in a controlled and professional manner to allow McLaren Mercedes, Fernando, Kimi and Juan Pablo to focus on the preparations for the 2006 season. Our aim for next year remains absolutely clear to everybody within the team - we want to win races and be in a position where we might have two Formula One World Champions driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in 2007."

Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug added: "We are pleased to welcome Fernando to the team and look forward to working both with him and our new title sponsor in 2007.

"To have a World Champion joining the team is a great endorsement and will create a tremendous amount of excitement. However for now our focus must remain on the 2006 season where we want to go one better than we did in 2005."

Renault have not yet commented on Alonso's decision but they are expected to do so later today.

[5P33D3V1L 0]

Actually that would because I dont think Kimi wants to be second best to Alonso or have equal priority he wants to be number 1.

[monza gorilla 1]

Fernando hinted that a move was on the cards a few days ago, saying that he would drive for the team who could bring him most success.

[5P33D3V1L 0]

"Both Juan Pablo and Kimi are extremely talented, professional and competitive Formula One drivers and they have and will continue to concentrate on our joint challenge for the Championships.

Your telling your telling me Montoya is professional who is "overweight" for F1 who missed a few races cos of an accident and punching camera men etc as for Kimi who I heard drinks "ALOT" and find himself in bed with another women everynight even though he is married. I mean they are great drivers but i dont think they are "extremely" professional.

[Chris Strange 0]

[5P33D3V1L 0]

I wanna hear what Wez and Ecap think

[Taku 0]

interesting indeed. what becomes of flavio if renault pulls out. or more importantly, what becomes of the team if renault pulls out? will we see team flavio f1? or richards f1?

[Parag 0]

Great news !!!!! yeeeepiiiiiii !!!!

I am so glad......I dreamed few weeks back of 'Alonso driving for Mclaren'...and it really came true.....great !!!

But, I dreamed of both Kimi and Alonso driving for Mclaren......sadly, I guess, it is not going to happen... as Kimi will join Ferrari and we will loose the exciting year (like the year when Senna and Prost were driving together)

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Ron must now surely know that the media are going to CONSTANTLY being asking which driver is leaving.

[5P33D3V1L 0]

interesting indeed. what becomes of flavio if renault pulls out. or more importantly, what becomes of the team if renault pulls out? will we see team flavio f1? or richards f1?

Interesting you bring that up because I think Renault are pulling out of F1 like the manufacters sed they would I mean I also thought Alonso was a Renault man forever and Flavio was only going to let him driver at Renault. But there you F1 is a crazy sport but whos driving at Renault ? Kova and Fisi ?

[Jem of the Shire 0]

I think renault could be left with the relatively weak driver line-up of Fisi/Kovalainen in 07

[Parag 0]

and I am sure, which driver is going to leave.......Kimi....!!!

His announcement will follow very shrotly.......

[Taku 0]

hi there paraq, welcome to the forums

well you never know, but you have to assume kimi will be going to ferrari as those rumours were pretty strong towards the end of year, when kimi was unhappy with big ron reprimanding him on his partying, and toad telling anyone who'd listen that he wants kimi.

but vodafone wil be bringing big $ to the table so it's still a possibility that kimi will stay. also, who's to say that m$ won't continue past 2006? he would definitely not continue if kimi was his teammate in possibly his last season...

anyone know jpm's contract length?

jpm & alonso as teammates would be decent anyway, but kimi & alonso would be heaven

[monza gorilla 1]

5P33D3V1L, remember. Renault have left F1 twice already. It's all due to the law of diminishing returns. When you're at the top, where else is there to go? A bit cynical maybe?

I don't think Fisi will be there in 07. His last chance of glory is 06 and then its the slow slide to retirement.

[Parag 0]

I heard, Kimi and montoya both have contracts till end of next season !!!

So, anyone can partner Alonso........it would be better, if it is Kimi !!!

[narain fan 0]

just entered a cyber cafe(as i am away from home) and browsed the forum after a week and the first thing i read is " alonso at mclaren"

ECAP:DIDNT I TELL U ON 2ND DECEMBER THAT probably ALONSO'S HEAD WILL GROW TOO BIG FOR THE SMALL BUDGET RENAULT HELMET,

THAT WOULD BEAT ANY OF SENNA'S (REPORTED) MASTER PREDICTIONS

[AutoRacer5 0]

I was not expecting this. Out of left field. I wonder if we will have the Latin teammate battle over there.

[realick2002 0]

i feel kimi is off to ferrari. one of the most shocking news i've heard. how do they do it? same with juan pablo

[Jem of the Shire 0]

well JPM wasnt very happy at williams, whereas Alonso seemed perfectly happy at Renault, especially as he's just won the championship! He must have some inside knowledge about Renault's near future

[Senna 0]

wow!