¿From the rumor mill to fruition? Fernando Alonso might be inbound to McLaren (UPDATE)

"Menebrio" (menebrio) 10/03/2014 at 21:00 • Filed to: Ferrari, Fernando Alonso, F1 2015 Rumors.

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Autosport is reporting it is basically a done deal, with parties only having to resolve the issue of the year left in Fernando's contract. I for one, was never a fan of the Spaniard until he came to Ferrari. I'm a Scuderia fan above all, and when Schumi or ehm Rubens was not in contention my support went to Kimi (for being the cool and direct mumbler). But as he replaced the Finn for the 2010 season, Alonso never looked back and gained my out must respect. He pummeled Massa in his first season at the prancing horse, surrounded himself with the whole of Maranello, and clearly outperformed the car he was hustling corner after corner on a race to race basis. Basically putting him, if not within a numerical chance to obtain his 3rd Drivers Championship, to be nominated every weekend for driver of the weekend (yes a popularity contest that is meaningless to a driver as winning is all there is).

Clearly the new McLaren/Honda alliance sounds appealing, after all given the free reign of development that Honda has had in the engine department puts them in a place for next season to be the only engine manufacturer that could challenge the Mercedes dominance. Also given their road experience with Hybrid tech they should have no more problems than any other team on the grid.

Aero-wise, though, it is a bit of an unknown where McLaren stands. Since the 2009 changes, they have been further on their back foot more so than Ferrari most of the time. I'm sure they'll be able to get back on track, but it seems hard they could do such a thing as to surpassing Ferrari, Williams, Red Bull, and Mercedes in a single season that will see no major changes in the regulations.

Much of Autosport speculation and information comes from Fernando's own declarations, obviously open to interpretation.

"I always put the interest of the team and the interest of the tifosi - this big brand Ferrari that is bigger than all of us - in front of my own interest," he said.

"So if there is something to talk about in the future and something better for Ferrari, I will do whatever."

"At the end of the day you have an idea in your mind and my mind is already set probably," he said.

"I want to win and I'm ready to maximise the performance of this moment of my career that has been the best moment," he said. "I feel good. I feel fit, I feel confident.

"I've adapted the driving style to the new regulations every year. I feel that I'm in the best moment of my career and hopefully I can take the benefit of this in the coming years and add in some titles in the pocket and retire with more than two."

I on the other hand think it is a matter of trust. Since his Championship days in Renault, he joined a Scuderia that little by little shed the weight of it's most important figure heads until he came aboard. Since the Ferrari dominance era this are the figure heads that have left the stable:

Ross Brawn, a technical director who went on to win the 2009 titl with the team he rescued

Jean Todt, a General manager the size of Napoleon, who is now head of the FIA

Paolo Martinelli, head of the engine department that produce some of the most reliable engines on the grid.

And though he had faith in his replacements in the figures of Stefano Domenicali & Luca Marmorini, their heads recently rolled as Luca Cordero di Montezomolo reshuffled the Scuderia in a last attempt to bring it back to glory. Worst of all, suddenly Luca himself was forced to commit a harakiri as the president of FIAT-Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, decided to take over himself.

Where does that leave a driver? Meantally unstable most likely. With questions about the team. This past months it has looked as if Ferrari was up for grabs. It was like being on the payroll of Catheram before the Japanese GP weekend. Suddenly your trust in the team erodes as so many changes go around you. And that is why I think the McLaren/Honda option ever crossed Fernando's mind in the first place. Suddenly the short term strategy to return to the top is stretch and I don't think Ferrari expects to be anywhere near the top until at least 2017. And that, for a driver in his prime and currently regarded as the most complete driver on the grid is an eternity. Fernando currently 33 is one of the oldest drivers on the grid. And with young talent coming in at a fraction of his cost, even the team might be thinking it is time to part ways, specially if neither side is happy with the performance of the car.

I can only hope we see the Spaniard until the end of 2016 when his contract runs out and he throws down his sword. In times of change, his ability and technicism might help guide the Scuderia of the future. Mean while I'm hoping this never happens not only for my team, but because I don't have to swallow my own tweet. Also, Valentino Rossi, please don't go back to Ducati (though I'd love to see you back in Red)

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BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Menebrio 10/03/2014 at 18:51

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I think Alonso leaving at this point will be a substantial loss for Ferrari. I didn't really like him at Renault either (probably because of Briatore's history with bending rules or downright cheating), and his first stint at McLaren was hampered so Hamilton could be pampered, but I always thought he fit right in at Ferrari. If only he had gotten there when the team was at its peak, imagine what he could've done.

Menebrio > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 10/03/2014 at 18:54

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No denying he could have also been able to take the 2007/08 title as well.

Vi517, JDX Racing > Menebrio 10/03/2014 at 21:06

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What the **** is going on in F1? Vettel is leaving Red Bull after his first bad season in 6 years. Daniil Kvyat is promoted to Red Bull after only one year. Fernando leaving Ferrari is understandable, but I think McLaren will be worse (even with the Honda engine), Red Bull have confirmed their driver lineup, and Mercedes are keeping Nico and Lewis, unless their contracts are broken. Well I guess it's good that Vergne is staying with STR, unless I missed something.

Menebrio > Vi517, JDX Racing 10/03/2014 at 21:10

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Lewis is not confirm if I recall correctly. Vettel had it till the end of 2015 but he had a "leave clause" if the team did not hand him a championship winning car.

TheBaron2112 > Menebrio 10/03/2014 at 21:13

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What if...

What if Alonso takes a sabbatical in 2015 and helps Haas develop his car, then signs on for Haas in 2016?

OH MAN

OH MAN OH MAN

Menebrio > TheBaron2112 10/03/2014 at 21:21

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You made me laugh, dream for HAAS, not for Alonso. It is more likely that McLaren could get Fernando & Vettel too. Though Lewis is not safe either even if he takes the title. Imagine a double German line up in a german team. The Marketing team would have a field day with that.