Fernando Alonso does believe he can still add a third Formula 1 world title to his name and that he can achieve it with McLaren after their switch to Renault engines.
The Spaniard’s future was one of the big stories throughout 2017, as he considered options both in and outside of F1. All the while, the double world champion would also endure another difficult year with the British team as Honda’s engine overhaul created more problems than it fixed.
A trip to Indianapolis in May only raised speculation that his future laid elsewhere but after McLaren secured a new engine partner in the form of Renault from next year, his own future would be secured with hopes of returning to the front.
“That’s why I stayed,” Alonso said when asked if he could win a third F1 crown. “We made a lot of progress this year, I’ve been in the factory a lot and I know what is in the plan for next year, I know what Renault is preparing for next year, so the reason I am here is because I believe I can.”
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McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier admitted it had been a huge disappointment to see another year wasted due to Honda claiming: “Turning up in Barcelona [testing] having been backwards in terms of engine performance, it is a mix of sadness, humiliation and frustration. It is not good,” he told Autosport.
While all that has now all been forgotten, for McLaren the situation remains the same for next year to meet the expectations of the 36-year-old.
“If he (Alonso) feels he can be on the podium or competitive enough to be there he will not give up one inch to anybody,” the Frenchman said. “So the pressure on the team will be there but it is a good pressure.”
