Alonso at McLaren in 07!(merged)

[Mystery]

See here - can anyone shed any more light on this

[Kicking-back]

This is definitely happening - it's just been announced by McLaren.

[Gore]

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns16045.html

Alonso versus Raikkonen in the same car..?

[Mystery]

I guess so and I'm sure there's no prizes for guessing where either. One would also have to ask what does Fernando know about Renault's plans for the future.

Edit: Referring here to K-B's now edited-out point saying Kimi might be on his way.

[Kicking-back]

Here's an email from McLaren's press office:


WORLD CHAMPION FERNANDO ALONSO SECURES VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES DRIVE

Woking, Great Britain, Monday 19th December 2005: The 2005 Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes will be joining forces for the 2007 Formula One season. Today's announcement comes only five days after Vodafone and McLaren Mercedes confirmed Vodafone's title sponsorship effective from January 2007 and forms an important part of the team's long term strategic partnership.

"Its great that our strong belief in the strength and competitiveness of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes package has been further endorsed by the World Champion," said Ron Dennis, Team Principal and Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group. "We always make it clear that we want to be the best and the only way of achieving this objective is by attracting the best people, the best drivers and the best sponsors. To be able to announce Vodafone as only McLaren's third title partner in more than 30 years and Fernando's employment within only a few days is fantastic news for the team, our Partners, Formula One and the fans."

"We are in discussions with our current drivers' Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya regarding the 2007 season," continues Ron Dennis. "Both Juan Pablo and Kimi are extremely talented, professional and competitive Formula One drivers and they have and will continue to concentrate on our joint challenge for the Championships."

"Fernando and McLaren Mercedes wanted to make the announcement as soon as possible in a controlled and professional manner to allow McLaren Mercedes, Fernando, Kimi and Juan Pablo to focus on the preparations for the 2006 season," states Ron Dennis. "Our aim for next year remains absolutely clear to everybody within the team – we want to win races and be in a position where we might have two Formula One World Champions driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in 2007."

"We are pleased to welcome Fernando to the team and look forward to working both with him and our new title sponsor in 2007," said Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. "To have a World Champion joining the team is a great endorsement and will create a tremendous amount of excitement. However for now our focus must remain on the 2006 season where we want to go one better than we did in 2005."

"To become part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for performance is a dream come true for any Formula One driver," said 2005 Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso. "I'm very excited about 2007 and the fantastic opportunity to drive for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It will be a new beginning for me and a tremendous challenge and from what I have heard about this exciting new Partnership there is something to look forward to. Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come along which are just too good to miss. I'm pleased that we are able to make this announcement already now as it will allow my current team and I to focus 100 per cent on defending the World Championships next year."

[ActiveMS]

Bring it on.....

So can we assume one or more of the following is true:

1. Renault are, as rumour suggests exiting F1 in the near future?
2. Kimi has or is about to sign for another team?
3. Or Monty is out of Mclaren at end of 06 contract?

hhmmmmm......fuel for thought.

They managed to keep it nice a quiet until today...well done.

[Kicking-back]

My view is that Ron has realised Montoya will never have the consistency to be the "real deal" so he's moved to ensure the two best available drivers (FA and KR) will be in his cars.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

My view is that Ron has realised Montoya will never have the consistency to be the "real deal" so he's moved to ensure the two best available drivers (FA and KR) will be in his cars.

My thoughts exactly.

[steve_r]

... Or Kimi is off to the red team.

I guess rumors will now be rife about Kimi, JPM and Renaults future plans.

[Javi]

amazing. That means he´s breaking up with telefonica (vodafone rival), who has supported him for many years...
I did expect ferrari, not mclaren...
Raikkonen at ferrari 2007?

[rdjones]

I didn't see that one coming, questions where now for Renault, Kimi or JPM to Ferrari to replace Schumacher ?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by steve_r

... Or Kimi is off to the red team.

I guess rumors will now be rife about Kimi, JPM and Renaults future plans.

I wouldn't be going to the red team in 2007,not unless the fab 3 are still there.

[Gt_R]

Just read it from F1racing.net and Grandprix.com.

A little bit surprising and sudden. There wasn't any indication that Alonso would be Mclaren bound although there have been words of Alonso leaving Renault in 2007.

But in any case, it would be a good catch for Mclaren.

One thing though is that this enforces the possibility of Kimi to Ferrari. The timing all suggest just that, and Michael has probably already noticed Ferrari that he would be departing/retiring.

Unless it's Juan leaving after Ron being less than satisfied with his performance last season?

But very ron, to announce their decision one year in advance.

[Knowlesy]

Kimi to Ferrari, then.

[Kicking-back]

Flavio being Flavio, I wouldn't be surprised if he hits the roof over this, and a deal is done so that Alonso is in a McLaren in 2006.

Montoya and Fisi at Renault!

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Kimi to Ferrari, then.

Exactly my thought! I don't think Raikkonen and Alonso will run against each other in the same car. Dennis has enough bad experience with two champions in his team.

I think Dennis knows more than we do.

[Knowlesy]

Precisely pinguest.

Still, I can't understand why Alonso has done this at all.

I'd personally be terrified of moving from Flavs (world championship winning) team to a strong rival!

[rdjones]

It's Flavio, Alonso's manager?

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Flavio being Flavio, I wouldn't be surprised if he hits the roof over this, and a deal is done so that Alonso is in a McLaren in 2006.

Montoya and Fisi at Renault!

Quite possibly.

Maybe Alonso could be out of a drive, even!

Nah, he'll still be there I'm sure.

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Precisely pinguest.

Still, I can't understand why Alonso has done this at all.

I'd personally be terrified of moving from Flavs (world championship winning) team to a strong rival!

It won't be good for the relationship between Renault en Alonso at all. He might have wasted his number 1 position now. This could weaken his chance of winning the world championship in 2006, I think.

[Knowlesy]

Maybe Fisi's car will suddenly be quicker.

[Bluewolf]

If Renault pull out -- that's one more F1 team gone - down to 18 cars perhaps in 2007 if no new team becomes a reality.

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Maybe Fisi's car will suddenly be quicker.

That wouldn't surprise me much.

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Still, I can't understand why Alonso has done this at all.

I'd suggest that the personal remuneration available from the combined resource of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes outweighs that from Renault.

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by Bluewolf

If Renault pull out -- that's one more F1 team gone - down to 18 cars perhaps in 2007 if no new team becomes a reality.

Why would Renault pull out. It has just won the WDC.