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Former long-time team driver David Coulthard says he can imagine Fernando Alonso quitting McLaren at the end of the season. Spaniard Alonso backtracked after slamming Honda's current power unit as no better than a "GP2 engine" at Suzuka, but Coulthard said he can understand the frustration.
"I don't know," he told the Spanish sports daily Marca when asked if he thinks the latest sabbatical rumours are true, "but I think it might happen. I hope not," Coulthard added, "because he is a great champion and he deserves to win more titles than he has."
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The Scot, now working as a pundit for British television, said poor "communication" between McLaren and Honda could be slowing down the rate of progress. He has no doubt, however, that Honda will eventually get it right. "But that will take time, and that is not good for Fernando or Jenson (Button). Or F1," said Coulthard. "If Honda makes progress over the winter, everything can change," he added. "But if they don't, Fernando doesn't want to be fighting for 15th place."
So what about the idea that Alonso takes a year out, perhaps fulfils his Le Mans dream and then returns to a fully-competitive McLaren-Honda for 2017? "It's an option," said Coulthard, "Alain Prost did it, but it's hard to imagine it. From a marketing standpoint, it's not a good message for Honda if your driver doesn't want to drive for a year."
Mercedes' Toto Wolff, however, is certain that not only Honda but also Renault will eventually become fully competitive. "There is one thing that money cannot buy in F1," he said, "and that is time. So they need to manage expectations and set the correct goals. But I have no doubt: in two years, Renault and Honda will be competitive," added Wolff. (GMM)
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C. Sainz jr
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Replies (4)
Login to replytalktohenry
Posts: 362
I think there is no way FA will go through another season like 2015, he would bad from him, in any way you see it if Honda didn't perform. He can take a break out and come back when he gets a top drive....
Dr Red Bull
Posts: 41
Thing is, what is the alternative for Alonso?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Currently it seems like he only have 2: remain with McLaren (and get some patience) or leave F1, be it for just 1 season.
talktohenry
Posts: 362
I watched Alonso strongly deny he would leave last night in the Press Conference, but his body language convinced me of the opposite, from what I saw last night even though he said exactly the opposite, I believe he's already made the decision to go. As the saying goes....watch this space!