Alonso to stay with McLaren for 2018 F1

Ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix in Texas, two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has extended his contract with McLaren for 2018.

Fernando Alonso

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has extended his contract with McLaren. (AAP)

The two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has extended his contract with McLaren for the 2018 season.

Ahead of the weekend's United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, the British team said late on Thursday the 36-year-old Spaniard would continue alongside Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne.

"It's fantastic to be able to continue my relationship with everybody at McLaren," Alonso said. "It was always where my heart was telling me to stay and I really feel at home here."

Alonso returned to McLaren for a second spell in 2015 but, despite being recognised as one of the best drivers on the grid, has been unable to compete at the top end due to continued technical problems.

The team have abandoned Honda as an engine supplier and will use Renault power units for next season. They were so short of being competitive that Alonso was even allowed to miss the showpiece Monaco Grand Prix earlier this year to race in the Indy 500.

"Although the last few years have not been easy, we have never forgotten how to win, and I believe we can achieve that again soon," Alonso said.

"The last three years have given us the momentum to plan and build for the future, and I'm looking forward to that journey."

Alonso won his world championships with the Renault works team in 2005 and 2006 before moving to McLaren for one difficult season as teammate of Lewis Hamilton.

He also raced for Minardi and Ferrari, from 2010-14, twice losing the world title to Sebastian Vettel, then of Red Bull, on the last day of the season.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world