Breaking news

Formula 1 Japanese GP

Dennis unimpressed with Alonso's radio comments

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis says he is not impressed with the way that Fernando Alonso labelled Honda's engine performance as 'embarrassing' in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Jonathan Noble

Jonathan Noble

Edited: Sep 27, 2015, 11:04 AM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30

Takahiro Hachigo, Honda CEO and Ron Dennis, McLaren Executive Chairman on the grid

Marcus Ericsson, Sauber C34 and Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30

Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30 and Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso STR10 battle for position

Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30

Takahiro Hachigo, Honda CEO and Ron Dennis, McLaren Executive Chairman on the grid

Fernando Alonso, McLaren

Fernando Alonso, McLaren MP4-30

Alonso caused a stir during the Suzuka race when he suggested over the radio that the power of his Honda power unit was comparable to a GP2 engine.

"I am getting passed down the straight like a GP2," said Alonso after losing positions. "This is embarrassing, very embarrassing."

Later on, speaking in the television media pen, Alonso caused fresh intrigue when he drew short of confirming that he would definitely be a part of McLaren next year.

"I don't know," said the two-time champion. "There are still five races to go now. We need to improve the situation to make sure we are competitive and we are on top of our problems.

"There are a few areas we need to improve and the main priority now is to work on those.

"I think in Abu Dhabi we will not improve. The remaining races will be tough, but the next year is probably what we are looking for and my intention is to stay and win together."

Dennis confused

Dennis said he could not understand why Alonso would cast doubt on his future, with it clear that his current contract has no performance-related clauses that would allow him to get out and join another team.

When asked about Alonso's comments, Dennis said: "I didn't hear that and I cannot make any comment. I don't know what he means by that comment.

"I spoke to him earlier today. He has a contract, he understands the contract and I am surprised."

Radio messages

Dennis was not fully supportive of Alonso's stance during the race, though, when there were separate criticisms of the engine over the radio on Honda's home turf.

"I am not going to condone those sorts of things, because it doesn't show the professionalism that I would like all our drivers to show," explained Dennis.

"But he is in the car, he is frustrated and of course he has exposure to the technical staff.

"Maybe it was not a particularly constructive way to communicate with everyone at Honda, but the way for me to deal with drivers is either through their appropriate management channels, which is Eric [Boullier] or in certain circumstances myself.

"Whatever I choose to do, or however it is done, it remains a team matter, not a matter for the media."

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 Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Vettel thinks strategy cost him second

Next article Hulkenberg elated to outscore both Lotus drivers

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



Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying



What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards



Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is

Formula 1

Azerbaijan GP

Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is

More from

McLaren



Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points



"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes



Why Oscar Piastri has struggled to show his best with this year's McLaren MCL40

Formula 1

Why Oscar Piastri has struggled to show his best with this year's McLaren MCL40

Latest news



Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup 2 h

Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027



Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season

NASCAR O'Reilly

NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly

Martinsville II

2 h

Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season



NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

5 h

NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars



Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

6 h

Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"

Feature

Discover prime content



Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Stuart Codling

Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate



How Ferrari's loss became Max Verstappen's gain at F1's Mexico GP

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

How Ferrari's loss became Max Verstappen's gain at F1's Mexico GP



The seven moments that defined Kimi Antonelli's F1 title win in 2026

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

The seven moments that defined Kimi Antonelli's F1 title win in 2026



Why lap times in Mexico have been so much closer to the previous F1 era

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Stuart Codling

Why lap times in Mexico have been so much closer to the previous F1 era

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:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe