McLaren confirms ahead of the United States Grand Prix that Fernando Alonso will race for the team next season, alongside Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne. The Spaniard rejoined the team in 2015 when McLaren partnered with Honda on their return to the sport.
“It’s fantastic to be able to continue my relationship with everybody at McLaren. It was always where my heart was telling me to stay, and I really feel at home here. This is a fantastic team, full of incredible people, with a warmth and friendliness that I’ve never experienced elsewhere in Formula 1. I’m incredibly happy to be racing here," says Alonso.
“Just as important, McLaren has the technical resource and financial strength to be able to very quickly win races and world championships in F1. Although the last few years have not been easy, we have never forgot-ten how to win, and I believe we can achieve that again soon.
“The last three years have given us the momentum to plan and build for the future, and I’m looking forward to that journey.
“I’m excited for our future together – and I’m already working hard to make it a success.”
The news underlines Alonso’s commitment to McLaren, his long-term ties to the organisation and his belief in the exciting potential and promise that exists within McLaren.
“I’m delighted to be able to confirm that Fernando will remain at McLaren. He has been a fantastic asset to the whole organisation for the past three years, is an incredible individual and is one of the most accomplished and talented racing drivers of the modern era," added Zak Brown, Executive Director, McLaren Technology Group.
“It always made sense for us to continue our journey together.
“His commitment will allow us to further improve the attractiveness and po-tential of the wider Group, and will ensure we head into 2018 feeling in-creasingly confident that we’ll be able to take a meaningful step forward. Fernando fully understands and buys in to the direction we are taking.
“Our shareholders have ambitious plans for the whole Group, and success within Formula 1 is a central pillar of that strategy. With Fernando, there is no doubt that we have a driver who can help us achieve our goal of win-ning again in F1 – and, believe me, we are all keen to do that.”
