Alonso a candidate for title in 2016 - manager

Fernando Alonso will be a title contender in 2016. That is the confident prediction of the Spaniard's manager Luis Garcia Abad, even though one notable figure does not expect Alonso to ever add a third title to his tally.

In a recent interview, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone answered "No" when asked if 34-year-old Alonso can bounce back from McLaren-Honda's dire 2015 campaign to fight for another championship. Alonso, however, remains highly rated, with Ecclestone even choosing him as one of his drivers in a 'dream team' feature running on F1's official website.

And according to Abad, his client is still in the running to return to the sport's top step for real. "Fernando will be a candidate for the title in 2016, without a doubt," Alonso's manager told Cadena Ser.

"McLaren-Honda is a winning combination, the car is radical and they are taking the time to make everything work effectively together. The weaknesses of today will be the strengths of tomorrow," Abad insisted. "There are obvious positive signs that indicate that in the future it will be really strong."

While Alonso is definitely staying for 2016, the future of his current teammate Jenson Button is less clear. But the 35-year-old Briton insists he is still motivated enough to stay put for another year. "I have a teammate alongside me who's regarded as one of the best in F1 history," Button told F1 Racing magazine.

"With a teammate like that, it's not just about trying to do the best job you can in your car against the rest of the field. You have your teammate to judge yourself against. It's a great position be in and it's exactly what I want at this stage. It keeps me massively motivated," he added. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 628
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 194
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar