Alonso wants to revive the “legend” of McLaren-Honda
Confirmed by McLaren this Thursday morning, Fernando Alonso returns to Woking after a lukewarm first stint in 2007. The Spaniard is ambitious even though he knows the project may take time.
Officially named the lead driver for McLaren-Honda in 2015, Fernando Alonso did not hide his satisfaction in joining a team and, more broadly, an alliance that he dreamed of when he was younger.
“I have never hidden my deep admiration for Ayrton Senna, my favorite driver, my idol on the track, my reference,” he began, on McLaren’s official website.
I will always remember, when I was a child, the posters in my wardrobe, my miniature cars in which I dreamed one day of matching Ayrton, and the kart my father built for my older sister, which I eventually fell in love with. This kart had the livery of one of the most legendary partnerships in F1 history, McLaren-Honda, the car Ayrton drove, the same alliance I am honored to join, to take part in the next world championship.
If he knows that returning to the top may take time, he still hopes that he can contribute to the building of success: « I join this project with enormous enthusiasm and determination, knowing that it may take time to achieve the results we aim for, which is not a problem for me. »
In recent years, I have received many offers, some of which were really tempting, given the current performance of certain teams that have shown interest. But, more than a year ago, McLaren-Honda contacted me and asked me to actively take part in the revival of their partnership—a partnership that dominated F1 for a long time.
The displayed and repeated desire of McLaren-Honda, the perseverance and determination to make it possible for me to join their renewed alliance, were some of the main factors that led me to make this decision, not forgetting the most important factor: we share a common goal and expectations, and there is a very strong future ahead.
« I had important discussions with all the leaders of McLaren and Honda, I’ve seen their fantastic facilities in Great Britain and Japan, and it is clear to me that, together, McLaren and Honda are starting what will surely be a long and fruitful collaboration. And I intend to give 100% to help achieve this. »
« Finally, I want to thank the persistence of those who fought so hard to make this a reality. I will do everything in my power to give my all for everyone and for the team, relying on a formula that has always worked for me: effort, sacrifice, perseverance, and faith. »
« We have time, we have hopes, and we have the necessary resources. Let the legend live on: that is our challenge, » he concluded.
