A “loyal” Alonso ready to stay at McLaren: the latest on a big game of dominoes

The fight for the two titles was not the only important topic of the last weekend in Italy. In the paddock, there was a lot of buzz around the McLaren motorhome. The season is progressing and things are speeding up: the divorce between McLaren and Honda is no longer a public secret.

“Give McLaren a Chance”

At least the desire to get there for the Woking-based team. And one of its two drivers. The Spaniard is very familiar with the past or recent success of the Renault engine, which McLaren is eyeing.

We know what a Renault engine can bring. Red Bull has achieved five or six consecutive podiums this season » admitted Alonso in the paddock at Monza.

At the same time, he reiterates his loyalty to the McLaren team, which welcomed him with open arms after his departure from Ferrari in 2014. A way to sidestep the temptation of Williams or a move to IndyCar as early as next season.

« As a driver, I can more or less choose where I want to go. But I want to be loyal to the team. I will give them a chance, together we have endured difficult times.

They want to win again. As a member of this team, I want that too!

For this, an initial formalization must take place. That of the divorce between McLaren and Honda, before a move to the engine manufacturer in Viry-Châtillon. On this matter, Fernando Alonso is optimistic about the outcome of the deal. The former Renault driver will base his 2018 decision on his current team’s choice, no matter how quickly it happens.

« This week is important for McLaren. Fortunately, we will know before Singapore; from there, we can make comments. I am waiting for their decision before making mine. »

As a collective, the choice is just as clear. « McLaren has always reached its goals. Honda has never reached theirs » continues Éric Boulier, echoing the reasoning presented here. McLaren’s patience has reached its limits, as also shown by Yusuke Hasegawa, head of the F1 project in Sakura.

« I’m still trying to get additional performance to convince them to stay. But I’m sure it won’t be enough… »

History of driving the point home, Zak Brown stated the following to the journalists present in Italy: « Once the main domino falls, everything will then fall into place », referring to the tripartite agreement McLaren-Honda-Toro Rosso (Ref Bull). Proof that the team, eight-time constructors’ champion, is already set for its next chapter.

Toro Rosso and Honda have the key

This domino indeed has two sides.

As McLaren secures an exclusive €100 million partnership with Honda, Renault must cede Toro Rosso in an engine exchange with the English team. This is because Renault is not able to supply a fourth team.

Fortunately, as Alain Prost, special advisor to the factory team, states: « We are ready. But first, Toro Rosso, McLaren, and Honda must agree. »

In any case, it won’t be the big sister Red Bull putting pressure on Faenza. Christian Horner will not veto the operation.

Be careful though! Red Bull does not want to lose out. At the head of the negotiations, Helmut Marko is reportedly asking for a similar contribution of 100 million euros from the engine supplier Honda for Toro Rosso.

After an initial refusal from the main party involved, negotiations reopened with the support of Ross Brawn and Jean Todt. Knowing that a complete and simple departure of Honda from Formula 1 is not the recommended solution. The FIA president then stepped in, stating this Saturday that he would help ensure everyone remains involved in the category, if necessary.

The blockage would actually be more on Honda’s side, which does not want to give in. While Toro Rosso had set an initial deadline this weekend in Italy, the operation is stalling around the financial agreement. And it is not certain that Toro Rosso will be the first to crack, especially since the team could also lose Carlos Sainz in the matter. Renault wants to bring in the Spaniard as “compensation” for the loss of one of its customer teams…

And at Honda, there is no desire to leave McLaren. The disavowal would be terrible in the Land of the Rising Sun to be left on the side of the road like this: there is an honor in exiting these negotiations with heads held high. At least, this transaction could be a test for Red Bull, allowing them to evaluate Honda’s long-term potential. A revenge could thus be taken on the present, if the results follow, of course. This would give Red Bull an option to emancipate from Renault, after coming close to divorce at the end of 2015.

What if the timing wasn’t right?

McLaren is determined to push the first domino so that everything falls into place. But the worst part is that there’s no guarantee the Renault engine in 2018 will be one of those competing for wins, much to Alonso’s dismay.

« I would like to emphasize the fact that we do not necessarily expect to produce a winning engine as early as next year. » admits Alain Prost cautiously. « For a driver of Fernando Alonso’s stature, this can be a problem. »

Let’s at least hope this one is reliable! Five retirements among the six drivers powered by Renault have still been recorded this season.

Moreover, Honda can very well make a comeback. Helped by external consultants from Ilmor or Mercedes, the Japanese engine, completely redesigned in the off-season, has nonetheless made some progress since the kick-off in Melbourne. But the starting point is so far behind…