Alonso discusses a “long-term” agreement with his future team
As he has just completed his last Grand Prix with Ferrari, Fernando Alonso has looked to the future and the long-term project he will be joining as of 2015.
After five seasons with Ferrari, Fernando Alonso will pack his bags and leave Maranello. He will head, in all likelihood, to Woking, where a new challenge should await him, that of Honda’s return to the premier discipline.
« You probably know where I am going to go… » he said, with a smile, to a few journalists in the Abu Dhabi paddock when the question was – once again – put to him.
Already, he is projecting himself onto his next destination and indicates that it will be a long-term commitment: « Now, it is time to look to the future with optimism and prepare for 2015 in a better way. We need to see how things will unfold for everyone next year. Mercedes really has a big advantage, and they will probably maintain that advantage next year. But I will join a project that is not just for the next year; it is a long-term relationship and a project that will, hopefully, compete with Mercedes soon, and that is why I made this decision. »
Recently, while discussions between the Spaniard and McLaren were ongoing, a sticking point seemed to be the length of the commitment. The double world champion reportedly did not wish to commit for too long, hoping to have an exit option in case a seat opened up at Mercedes. On the contrary, the British team was keen on a multi-year agreement.
The agreement, precisely, would have been concluded in recent weeks and the confirmation of Fernando Alonso’s arrival is only a matter of days. He is very eager to start and believes that his choice is the right one: « I look to the future with enthusiasm because when you join a new project, it’s because you think it’s better. After 5 years, it’s time to move on. That’s enough for me. Looking to the future, considering the expectations, and observing the direction things are taking, I was not as convinced [by Ferrari]. »
McLaren is giving itself until December to decide who among Jenson Button, Kevin Magnussen, or even Stoffel Vandoorne could support the double world champion next season.
