Motorsport Magazine is claiming Fernando Alonso has left McLaren after agreeing a “casual exit”.
If true, it brings to an end a four-and-a-half stint for the Spaniard, who rejoined in 2015 as part of the ultimately failed collaboration with Honda.
As he struggled for competitiveness in Formula 1, the two parties teamed up to take on the Indianapolis 500 twice in 2017 and 2019, retiring from the first attempt after a strong showing but failing to qualify this year.
The blame for that was put squarely on McLaren’s lack of organisation with Bob Fernley leaving the team, and the failure also triggered speculation over Alonso’s future.
Recently, it was confirmed he would not be conducting any further F1 tyre testing despite that being part of an agreement which saw him become a team ambassador back in March.
And it is understood that, should Fernando return to Indy, he would do so with a different team.
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As a result, Motorsport Magazine reports the driver and team will amicably split when their agreement expires and will not work together again as part of the “casual exit”.
In response, a McLaren spokesperson told the publication: “Fernando, like all McLaren drivers past and present, will always be part of the McLaren family and we have a strong relationship with him.
“We have no plans to run him in any further F1 test sessions this year as our focus remains on both Carlos and Lando. He is free to pursue other opportunities in motorsport and we would support him in doing so.”
That statement clearly leaves the door open to Alonso, but it remains to be seen what the future now holds.
