Alonso won't drive for McLaren again in 2019
Alonso won't drive for McLaren again in 2019
Fernando Alonso is highly unlikely to make another appearance in McLaren's Formula 1 car in 2019, despite the team having suggested the Spaniard would be a regular feature in test events this year. Alonso took part in this year's test following the Spanish Grand Prix.
Alonso agreed an ambassadorial role with McLaren, having quitted the race team at the end of last year to focus on securing the 'Triple Crown' and his WEC commitments.
McLaren have impressed in F1, with Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz putting the team fourth in the championship after seven races, and locking out the third row in qualifying for the eighth – in France.
Alonso has previously said he would look to return to F1 if a top seat was on offer, but McLaren's surging fortunes will not see him return this year.
Team principal Andreas Seidl said: "We have no plan to put Fernando back in the Formula 1 car at McLaren. We are very happy with Lando and Carlos. They are doing a great job and they're the future for us - and that is also my focus.
"But [Alonso] is still a member of McLaren, an ambassador for McLaren, and I think there will be a discussion in the future with potentially other racing projects."
Alonso was mentioned as a reserve driver for McLaren at the start of the year, but the team this week confirmed that Sergey Sirotkin had been appointed to that role, sharing him with engine supplier Renault.
Explaining Sirotkin's appointment, Seidl added: "It is not possible for Fernando to be here at every race and be reserve driver. We work closely together in this partnership with Renault on the powertrain side, and Sergey will be at each track until the end of the season.
"So it simply made sense to have this agreement and to share resources with Renault. And in the case of an emergency, straight away we have a reserve driver at the track. So that was the reason for this agreement."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Haas announce Hulkenberg EXIT as F1 star's new team confirmed
- Today 11:27
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- 2 hours ago
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Red Bull star set to QUIT team as F1 driver role CONFIRMED for 2025
- Today 12:38
F1 team set to axe BOTH star drivers
- Today 12:05
Red Bull to lose F1 MVP as true cost of Horner saga hits
- Today 09:57
Related news
Alonso and Taylor Swift rumours reignited by new album lyric
F1 star PENALISED following controversial Chinese GP incident
Alonso hints at F1 retirement date after historic contract
Alonso takes CHEEKY dig at Hamilton after signing F1 contract
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860