Brown: McLaren would need a third car for Alonso's return

  • Published on 16 Jun 2019 10:22
  • comments 5
  • By: Richard Fletcher & Fergal Walsh

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has addressed the rumours concerning the return of Fernando Alonso to F1. Alonso retired at the end of 2018, but didn't rule out the possibility of one day returning to the series. 

Alonso left to pursue the motorsport Triple Crown, aiming to achieve victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, The 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500. So far, the only winner of all three is Graham Hill

Brown joked that if the double world champion wanted to return, McLaren would need permission to run a third car as he is very happy with how Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris are performing. 

Alonso had always suggested that the option of returning to F1 was open and he could return if he wanted to. Brown seems to have other ideas about there being an available seat at McLaren. though. 

"Fortunately, Fernando has not yet called. There are currently no cockpits available. Our current drivers have done super well so far. They have achieved Q3 in fifty per cent of the races and given us good feedback."

Brown also credited the relationship between his two drivers as part of the reason they currently hold P4 in the constructors' championship.

"Moreover, they get along well, so I don't have to worry about fear when they fight each other."

'Focus' has allowed McLaren to improve

After a strong start to year, McLaren finds itself fourth in the championship, a position it could only have dreamed of towards the end of the 2019 season.

Brown says that an increase in focus over the winter break has ensured that the team runs more smoothly this season, which along with an improved car, is seeing it perform well.

"I told our team manager that I want to see better pit stops this year, that we're on schedule, that we're the first car on track in the tests," Brown said. "We now have a clear, somewhat more traditional Formula 1 structure in the team.

"We have improved our pit stop equipment. Everyone knows what they have to do, everyone has improved. Over the past few years, a mentality has crept in based on the motto: 'The car isn't the best, why do we have to be the best?'

"I referred to Williams. They didn't have the best car in recent years either, but they were always among the teams with the best pit stops. It's the attitude that counts and it has to be: Every little thing counts. If the car should ever be able to win, all other disciplines have to work."

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • Either he is bullshitting, and he will offer Alonso a seat as soon as he calls while hiding this fact to boost morale, or he is honest, and he somehow think the current lineup works better. Alonso is a noted dominant driver and causer of drama, not to mention expensive as hell (probably too expensive to what McLaren can afford right now), so I could see the latter being possible, yet I don't think one should underestimate how much of a boost it could be to have such an experienced driver on board.

    • + 0
    • Jun 16 2019 - 12:25
    • Yes but the simple fact is that the team is doing better without him there with less drama. Win/win for McLaren.

      • + 0
      • Jun 16 2019 - 21:39
    • I agree, just trying to kinda see both sides. Personally methinks they are better of without that dramaqueen. :)

      • + 0
      • Jun 17 2019 - 17:21
  • I don't think we'll ever see him back. I think Alonso is having too much fun elsewhere

    • + 0
    • Jun 16 2019 - 13:20
  • Mansell

    Posts: 104

    McLaren and Alonso need to part company on all fronts ,
    Would do both the world of good

    • + 0
    • Jun 17 2019 - 12:16

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 564
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 162
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar