McLaren in talks to keep Alonso and ditch Honda

FORMULA ONE’S power brokers walked into the McLaren motorhome at lunchtime yesterday. First the sport’s chief executive, Chase Carey, climbed the spiral staircase out of public view, then FIA president Jean Todt. It was a day of meetings, deal-making and fingercrossing as Britain’s most successful team attempt to find a new engine partner — and keep hold of star driver Fernando Alonso. Carey and Todt spoke to members of the McLaren hierarchy, including executive director Zak Brown, with sources indicating that the sport’s rulers are trying to help McLaren reach their desired conclusion, namely to switch from unreliable Honda to Renault next season. A deal is close but still in the balance. Sportsmail understands the main stumbling block is whether Honda can be persuaded they should accept the suggested solution — to supply Toro Rosso and for Renault to move the other way. Carey and Co do not want to lose Honda from the grid. The Japanese manufacturers will make an announcement before the next race in Singapore a week on Sunday. As for Alonso, he is now highly likely to sign an extension with McLaren beyond this season. Yesterday’s race highlighted McLaren’s engine problems, with both Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne forced to retire. Alonso, whose non-finish was his ninth of the season, criticised the stewards for failing to deal more harshly with Renault’s British driver Jolyon Palmer, who went across a chicane when they were battling for 12th place. Palmer was handed a fivesecond penalty for not handing the place back, but Alonso said: ‘The rules are clear. The FIA must have been having a Heineken.’