F1 | McLaren, Neale: “We will do everything to keep Alonso”

One of the hottest topics of summer 2017 is the one concerning the future of Fernando Alonso. It is no mystery that the Spaniard, after several disappointing years, is looking around in the hope of finding a competitive team that can allow him to realize his dream of third world title. On the part of McLaren there is every desire to renew the contract, which expires at the end of the year, and to build a solid foundation together with Alonso to return to winning. McLaren's chief operating officer, Jonathan Neale, expressed himself thus on the issue: "We will do everything we can to keep him, but I will respect his choices. I think he's a great guy, he's one of the best drivers he's ever worked with and I'd like to do it longer. He is still in great shape, the splendid maneuver on Sainz in Hungary is confirmation of this.".

The key to the negotiation between Alonso and McLaren could be the choice of engine which the English team will rely on for the 2018 season. The partnership with Honda now seems to be at an all-time low, but Neale does not rule out a possible confirmation from the Japanese giant: “We are talking to Honda, keeping the FIA ​​and FOM close to what is happening. By September everyone will know our plans. We are trying to do the right thing for both Formula 1 and McLaren: we have a duty to return to winning.".

Federico Martino