Briatore: “Alonso? I convinced him to leave Ferrari. They blamed him for everything."

Surely no one would have expected such an unforgiving return to Formula 1 for the McLaren Honda duo. Up to now the Woking team and the Japanese engineer have almost brought home results mediocre. A season so far below expectations didn't even haunt Fernando Alonso's darkest nightmares who, with six races to go until the end of the championship, found himself stuck in 15th position at 11 points.

What is preparing to experience Formula 1 in Japan will be one very important race for McLaren which, in Suzuka, will race at the home of its engine manufacturer, Honda. In a certain sense, the Japanese one is the second race for the Woking team, both of its drivers, for different reasons, are linked to the Far East and, in particular the Suzuka track, can only bring back to the memories of the most nostalgic some of the most exciting races ducks contested by a motorsport legend like Ayrton Senna in the years in which he drove a McLaren powered by the Tokyo company.

Ten years have passed since the first World Championship obtained in Formula 1 by the Spanish driver and Flavio Briatore wanted it clear up some doubts regarding his driver's much criticized farewell to Ferrari: “It was I who convinced Fernando to leave Maranello to join McLaren. He couldn't stay in Ferrari any longer, they blamed him for everything – stated the manager of the Ovietense – He had to leave especially after the arrival of Mattiacci, perhaps, without him, he could have continued racing for Ferrari”.

It's not a mystery. Marco Mattiacci's career as Team Principal of the Formula 1 team turned out to be more ephemeral than the life of a butterfly. At the end of the season the Roman was quickly replaced by Maurice Arrivabene, former key man at Philip Morris who now pampers his drivers: “No one could have imagined a disastrous situation like this – continued Briatore, making clear reference to McLaren's results – I can only say that I know Honda well and how the Japanese work, they know how to build engines. In 2016 they will fight for podium positions."

And if McLaren doesn't improve what will Alonso do? “If he can't have a winning car in Formula 1, he will have to look around.”

Eleonora Ottonello