Mclaren Sign Alonso for 07
Discussion
(ESP)-McLAREN SIGN ALONSO FOR 2007
McLAREN SIGN ALONSO FOR 2007
By Alastair Moffitt, PA Sport Motor Racing Correspondent
McLaren today stunned Formula One by announcing they have signed world
champion Fernando Alonso for the 2007 season.
Alonso won his world title in a Renault and is contracted to the Anglo-French
team for next season. However, he will now switch to McLaren for 2007, meaning
either Kimi Raikkonen or Juan Pablo Montoya will be forced out.
The moves comes just days after McLaren signed a lucrative sponsorship deal
with Vodafone.
Team 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.''
mfl
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wow - didnt see that one coming!
Probably won't cost them a penny as I should think contracts will be up for renewal at the end of '06. Ron's clever like that.
My money is on Montoya getting the heave. After all, Kimi is Ron's star and has gone wheel to wheel for the title now, whereas Monty hasn't really come up to speed in the Mclaren, which is a shame.
It'll be interesting to see how Renault treat him in 06 though now he's confirmed the move. Reigning champion, do they back him to the hilt, and try to win it again, or drop him like a brick and concentrate on his team mate???
>> Edited by racefan_uk on Monday 19th December 11:48
My money is on Montoya getting the heave. After all, Kimi is Ron's star and has gone wheel to wheel for the title now, whereas Monty hasn't really come up to speed in the Mclaren, which is a shame.
It'll be interesting to see how Renault treat him in 06 though now he's confirmed the move. Reigning champion, do they back him to the hilt, and try to win it again, or drop him like a brick and concentrate on his team mate???
>> Edited by racefan_uk on Monday 19th December 11:48
racefan_uk said:
Probably won't cost them a penny as I should think contracts will be up for renewal at the end of '06. Ron's clever like that.
My money is on Montoya getting the heave. After all, Kimi is Ron's star and has gone wheel to wheel for the title now, whereas Monty hasn't really come up to speed in the Mclaren, which is a shame.
It'll be interesting to see how Renault treat him in 06 though now he's confirmed the move. Reigning champion, do they back him to the hilt, and try to win it again, or drop him like a brick and concentrate on his team mate???
>> Edited by racefan_uk on Monday 19th December 11:48
Certainly didn't see this coming! I think Renault would be wise to back Alonso next year, he's an awesome driver. As good as Fisi is, he simply isn't in the same league as Fernando
But, if he's managed by Flav, then he must have known about the deal being done, surely?
Which, from a Renault point of view, must put both Alonso and Flav in a very bad light.
05 World champion on the sidelines for 06??? Or even relegated to a testing role? I doubt it would ever happen as it'd be PR suicide to not have the reigning Champion in your car, which is why I can't see the swap happening early. Renault will want the current champion in one of their cars no matter what. But I bet its not an easy year for him.
Which, from a Renault point of view, must put both Alonso and Flav in a very bad light.
05 World champion on the sidelines for 06??? Or even relegated to a testing role? I doubt it would ever happen as it'd be PR suicide to not have the reigning Champion in your car, which is why I can't see the swap happening early. Renault will want the current champion in one of their cars no matter what. But I bet its not an easy year for him.
gt said:
Got to be (well, rather hoping it is) the chubby Colombian for the chop...
unless Raikonnen drinks himself into oblivion
Unless Raikonnen is heading to Ferrari? Perhaps Dennis is covering his bases?
Gruffy
Damn you Teppic and your quicker typing!
>> Edited by Gruffy on Monday 19th December 12:36
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