Alonso F1 return ruled out by McLaren

McLaren boss Zak Brown confirmed without doubt that Fernando Alonso will not be returning to the team for the 2021 F1 season, as he remains happy with the current pairing of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris.

With Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne behind the wheel of their uncompetitive car in 2018, McLaren opted to shake things up after the conclusion of that season, with Sainz and Norris coming in to replace the aforementioned pair, while Andreas Seidl was recruited as new team principal.

The changes worked like a charm, as they established themselves as ‘best of the rest’ team behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

Therefore, Brown doesn’t want to curb the continued progress by bringing Alonso back.

“No. We are in a different place now,” he said when asked if the team would consider a return for the two-time world champion.

“That’s not a reflection on him, we have two great young drivers [Sainz and Norris] who are really fast that are working well together.

Ferrari seat rumours are a compliment - SainzRead more

“The fans like them and we have a rhythm now and would not want to disturb that. It’s where we are. I am happy with our racing team.

“They are the stars of the sport but everyone is quite relaxed around them. It is a really good environment, I wouldn’t want to disturb that part of the magic that is making everything come together.”

Brown remains a fan of Alonso, however, and reserved praise for the performances of the Spaniard even when the team were uncompetitive on the grid.

“Every single lap he was impressive, he gave his all,” he said.

“But there is a point where it is time for change. I don’t look back and see him in any way as part of the issues we were having. It was much more the environment in the team.”

Alonso initially left F1 in 2018 to pursue his dream of winning the motorsport ‘Triple Crown’ which includes victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans, and the Indy 500.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 legend's son gets stuck behind a TRUCK leaving pitlane in bizarre incident

• 3 hours ago

F1 Summer Break: Lewis and Kim unfiltered, Russell engaged and Leclercs dote on new arrival

• Yesterday 21:45

Charles Leclerc fires F1 title fight warning and it's bad news for Lewis Hamilton

• Yesterday 20:58

When George met Carmen: The chance blind date which led to F1's latest engagement

• Yesterday 19:30

Lewis Hamilton and the shock Red Bull move that leaves F1 with regrets

• Yesterday 18:44

F1 star issues emotional retirement statement after 30 years of racing

• Yesterday 17:55