Alonso signs one- year deal with Mclaren

Fernando Alonso will remain at Mclaren next season after signing a new contract with the British team, writes Philip Duncan.

Two- time world champion Alonso, who is in the midst of his worst campaign in Formula One, has penned a oneyear extension. The 36- yearold, who has not won a race since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix and has finished in the points just twice this year, made Mclaren sweat over his future. But with no vacancies at Mercedes, his former team Ferrari, or indeed Red Bull, the Spaniard was left with little option than to extend his stay at Mclaren into a fourth successive year.

Mclaren’s decision to end their failed partnership with engine supplier Honda and switch to Renault power from next season is understood to have been integral in ensuring Alonso would stay.

Alonso has not been on the podium since he returned to Mclaren in 2015. He has failed to finish nine of the 14 grands prix he has contested this season and failed to start in Russia after his car conked out en route to the grid.

“It’s fantastic to be able to continue my relationship with everybody at Mclaren,” Alonso said. “It was always where my heart was telling me to stay. Just as important, Mclaren has the technical resource and financial strength to be able to very quickly win races and world championships in F1.”