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Mark Webber thinks that McLaren driver Fernando Alonso could quit the team mid-season if the fortunes do not change soon. The Woking-based team have had a torrid year so far, with pre-season testing indicating that more struggles lie ahead.
Despite running in the points in the Australian Grand Prix, Alonso was forced to retire late into the race, and was noticed by many to be moodily leaving the paddock in Melbourne.
"Alonso may not stay with the team," he told the Belgian news agency Sporza. "Maybe Stoffel (Vandoorne) will soon have a new teammate.
"I can see it happening that Alonso does not complete the season. He is very frustrated," added Webber. "Fernando is not here for 6th or 7th places. He's not interested in points. He wants to fight for the podium," Webber insisted.
Speaking about Alonso's teammate Stoffel Vandoorne, Webber said: "We need talent like that in F1. He's a good guy with a brilliant career ahead of him."
Webber went on to say that he believes Vandoorne is in a much better situation than Alonso, as the Belgian driver is only in his first full season with the team and has time on his side.
"His (Vandoorne's) car and his team are not competitive, but Stoffel will get there. He can afford a moment like this. In your first season, you're learning about formula one and he gets to do it out of the spotlight. Everyone is looking at his team and at Honda," Webber explained.
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (1)
Login to replyRam Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Alonso just said he had the best drive of his life and Webber thinks he's going to quit mid-season? Alonso doesn't seem like a quitter to me, and Webber as usual talking out his arse. Even if he is unhappy, he has a contract and is getting paid well. Just don't see it, unless Honda gets even worse and Alonso has one hell of an exit clause in his contract. Merc's got an open seat next year but Alonso and Hamilton have already shown they don't play well together, so I think we'll see FA in an orange car for a while. Who knows, maybe even Red next year?