Alonso extends his contract with McLaren

Fernando Alonso will continue to defend the interests of McLaren in 2018. The Woking team confirmed the information in the paddock of the US GP played this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin (Texas).

The future of the double world champion in F1 was uncertain as McLaren's performance fell short of expectations, with the MCL32s being penalized by the poor performance of the Honda Power Unit. The transition from the Japanese engine manufacturer to Renault from 2018 seems to have convinced the Asturian.

“My heart always told me to stay there because I feel at home there, comments Fernando Alonso. I have never felt such a warm closeness anywhere else. McLaren has the technical resources and financial stability to quickly win races and titles. Even though the last few years have not been easy, we have never forgotten how to win and we should do so quickly. »

Fernando Alonso must be impatient to see what the chapter soon to begin between McLaren and Renault will bring, the Spaniard only occupying 16th place in the Championship, three points behind his teammate Stoffel Vandoorne with whom he will continue to play next year. His last victory dates back to the 2013 Spanish GP.

“I am delighted to be able to retain one of the most talented and accomplished pilots in modern history, adds Zak Brown, executive director of McLaren Technology Group, who let the Spaniard compete in the Indy 500 last May instead of the Monaco GP. Our shareholders have plans for the entire group and F1 remains at the center of this strategy. With Fernando, there is no doubt that we have a driver capable of winning races in F1 again. »

Fernando Alonso is expected to take part in the 24 Hours of Daytona on January 26 and 27 in one of the two Ligier JS P217s entered by United Autosports of which Zak Brown is the co-owner.