Breaking news
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP
Alonso could take year off in 2016, says Dennis
McLaren boss Ron suggests Fernando Alonso could take a sabbatical in 2016 if the car is not improved, but insists that the Spaniard will see out his three-year contract with the team.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: May 5, 2021, 4:37 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Alonso opened questions about his future at the Japanese Grand Prix when he said he did not know if he would be at the team in 2016 on the back of a disappointing campaign.
However, he subsequently clarified that he had a three-year deal with the Woking-based outfit and would see out his career with the team.
As McLaren and Honda chase a performance boost for next year, attention has shifted to what will happen if the 2016 challenger does not deliver a step forward in form.
Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Dennis was well aware that a decision may need to be taken in the event progress up the grid is not made, as he suggested that the idea of a sabbatical had come up.
It would mean that if the car was not performing next year, Alonso could sit out the season and then return for the final two years of his contract in 2017 and 2018 when the car was better.
Open minded
Asked to clarify Alonso's situation, Dennis said: "He will definitely finish his career at McLaren.
"I have an open mind to anything – and some of the ideas have involved those sorts of considerations, sabbatical years, etc.
"But at this moment of time, I would say that we believe we know where we will be. I think we navigated a difficult weekend [in Japan] in respect of our drivers.
"I took quite a high level of flack out of that weekend and it was a challenge to navigate out of it, but nevertheless, here we are.
"We have a great number of driver options and two of the best drivers in the world in our cars.
"When we have to take the decision we will take it together, at this moment of time our drivers for next year are Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Abu Dhabi GP: Rosberg stays ahead of Hamilton in FP3
Next article Abu Dhabi GP: Rosberg extends pole streak, Vettel starts 16th
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Fernando Alonso
Herta endorses IndyCar’s international return with Barcelona while marveling at Palou’s dominance
IndyCar
IndyCar
Herta endorses IndyCar’s international return with Barcelona while marveling at Palou’s dominance
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
More from
McLaren
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Latest news
NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
33 min
NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
4 h
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
5 h
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
8 h
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe