|
Alonso agrees to join McLaren
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-20 07:12
WOKING, England: Formula One champion Fernando Alonso agreed yesterday to
join the McLaren-Mercedes team in 2007.
Fernando Alonso of
Spain (C) is surrounded by fans in the paddock during a free practice
session at the Jerez race track in southern Spain December 16, 2005.
[Reuters] | The Spaniard won seven races with Renault this season to become the youngest
driver to take the title at age 24. Alonso ended Ferrari driver Michael
Schumacher's run of five world championships in a row.
Yesterday's announcement came less than a week after mobile phone company
Vodafone said it would sponsor McLaren from 2007, ending its contract with
Ferrari after next season.
"Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come
along which are just too good to miss," Alonso said in a statement. "I'm pleased
that we are able to make this announcement now, as it will allow my current team
and I to focus 100 percent on defending the world championship next year."
Finland's Kimi Raikkonen and Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya are McLaren's
current drivers. Raikkonen finished second in the driver's championship this
year, while Montoya was fourth.
"We are in discussions with Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya regarding
the 2007 season," McLaren boss Ron Dennis said.
Renault won this season's constructors' championship.
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen, who was due to test drive for Renault, is likely
to replace Alonso in 2007.
Alonso became the youngest driver to win an F1 race when, at 22, he won the
Hungarian Grand Prix in 2003.
"I achieved my lifetime ambition with Renault this year,
and for my career, I felt that it was time for a new challenge," Alonso said.
"That will be to try and win with another team."
|
