Alonso leaves McLaren
November 2nd 2007 01:19
Alonso takes his runner-up trophy and leaves
While it doesn’t necessarily come as a great surprise to many, the timing of the decision has sparked a wave of speculation. With so many seats on the grid tied up contractually, who will take the Spaniard’s seat alongside Lews Hamilton is unclear – and where Fernando ends up is equally hazy.
While both parties state they wish each other the best for the future – it’s clear that the soured relationship between Alonso and team boss Ron Dennis is what led to Alonso finally walking out.
But despite leaving a team with championship winning prospects, Alonso said he has no regrets.
"This year I had the opportunity to win the championship again, so from that point of view the switch (from Renault) was a good decision," Alonso told the official F1 website.
"The team did a fantastic job to have a competitive car so I was able to fight until the last race and finished only one point behind the champion. So, in that respect, I think it has been a very positive season."
Despite the year’s many controversies (many, many, many). Alonso still reflects upon the positives from his time with McLaren.
"Outside the car for sure we had some ups and downs, better moments and worse moments, but I think this happens in every job," he continued.
"I will remember this year for my four victories I had in important places, where I had not won before, like Monza, and Monaco again for a second time."
Alonso revealed that he wouldn’t dwell on the reasons for his Championship defeat, adding that the "future already has begun" as he weighs up his (many, many, many) options for next season.
He said: "For every driver, when we lose a Championship we start thinking about why we lost. But we lost, so there is nothing more we can do. It's history.
"The future is the place where you can change things - and the future already has begun. Looking back over my shoulder, I feel quite comfortable.
"Did we lose the Championship due to strategic mistakes? Well, a Championship is not lost in a single race so there are many reasons why we did not win.
"In Hungary I had a penalty, in Japan I didn't finish the race after the crash, in Canada I was seventh, in Magny-Cours seventh - so for sure I didn't arrive in Brazil with enough points to be sure of winning the Championship.
"Hopefully for next year I've learnt some lessons and I'll try again."
| 41 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
