Alonso quits F1: Who will McLaren pick for 2019?

Fernando Alonso's decision to quit Formula 1 at the end of 2018 gives McLaren a serious headache as they plan their 2019 driver line-up. Shorn of the star man, who will Zak Brown entrust with aiding the rebuilding job for the beleaguered British team? We take a look at the candidates.

STOFFEL VANDOORNE

Age: 26
F1 races: 33
Best result: 7th
Best qualifying: 7th

Incumbency, if nothing else, plays into Vandoorne's favour. Had McLaren convinced Alonso to stay, the Belgian would have likely found himself out of a job after being comprehensively thrashed by his team-mate in 2018. As it is, Vandoorne's experience and familiarity in the team may be valued alongside whoever does fill Alonso's seat.

CARLOS SAINZ

Age: 23
F1 races: 72
Best result: 4th
Best qualifying: 6th

Hotly linked to McLaren in recent months, with Pierre Gasly expected to beat him to the vacant Red Bull seat freed up by Daniel Ricciardo's move to Renault. Replacing childhood idol Alonso would be huge for the Spanish driver. Brown has recently confirmed that Sainz is very much in McLaren's thoughts for next year.

LANDO NORRIS

Age: 18
Junior titles: 5
F2 wins: 1
F2 standing: 2nd

McLaren's junior prodigy has seen his Formula 2 title bid stall after a brilliant start, but there is little doubt that the teenager will make it to F1 in the future. Brown's recent suggestion that two young drivers is not an option McLaren will consider may block his path for 2019, but Norris himself is happy to remain in his reserve role rather than join another team, with Toro Rosso interested.

ESTEBAN OCON

Age: 22
F1 races: 41
Best result: 5th
Best qualifying: 3rd

One of the losers of the Ricciardo-Renault deal, Ocon had been expected to join the French team, but is now on the bubble at Force India, where Lance Stroll is expected to come in. Recent reports have suggested that Ocon could be a McLaren driver as early as next weekend's Belgian Grand Prix if Stroll switches from Williams early, so the Frenchman could be under consideration.

KIMI RAIKKONEN

Age: 38
F1 races: 285
Wins: 20
Poles: 17

Raikkonen was recently linked with an Alonso-esque McLaren comeback, but speculation over his future has switched in recent weeks and he has been tipped to sign a new two-year deal with Ferrari. Charles Leclerc had been expected to replace him at the Scuderia, until Sergio Marchionne's death brought a new board to the Italian squad, keen to avoid further turmoil.