McLaren Refute Rumours of Fernando Alonso Returning to F1

McLaren are on the road to recovery and rumours were abound that their former driver, Fernando Alonso could come back. However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown responded to the rumours. Brown joked that if Fernando Alonso wanted to return, they would need to field a third car. This is because he is currently satisfied with the performances of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris.

Following his retirement, Alonso dropped hints that this may not the last that F1 sees of him. However, Brown has other ideas about seat availability seat at McLaren.

He said, “Fortunately, Fernando has not yet called. There are currently no cockpits available. Our current drivers have done super well so far. They have achieved Q3 in fifty per cent of the races and given us good feedback.”

The McLaren boss was also happy about the rapport between the two drivers. He feels that their relationship is part of the reason that they hold P4 in the constructors’ championship.

“Moreover, they get along well, so I don’t have to worry about fear when they fight each other.”

After a strong start to year, McLaren finds itself fourth in the championship, a position it could only have dreamed of towards the end of the 2019 season.

Brown says that an increase in focus over the winter break has ensured that the team runs more smoothly this season, which along with an improved car, is seeing it perform well.

“I told our team manager that I want to see better pit stops this year, that we’re on schedule, that we’re the first car on track in the tests,” Brown said. “We now have a clear, somewhat more traditional Formula 1 structure in the team.

“We have improved our pit stop equipment. Everyone knows what they have to do, everyone has improved. Over the past few years, a mentality has crept in based on the motto: ‘The car isn’t the best, why do we have to be the best?’

“I referred to Williams. They didn’t have the best car in recent years either, but they were always among the teams with the best pit stops. It’s the attitude that counts and it has to be: Every little thing counts. If the car should ever be able to win, all other disciplines have to work.”