Dennis: « McLaren has many options… »

The McLaren boss Ron Dennis claims to have many drivers in reserve to replace the double world champion Fernando Alonso.

Alonso left the team at the end of the season, leaving a vacant seat at McLaren. The latter has only confirmed Lewis Hamilton as a race driver for 2008 to date.

Dennis insisted that the team was not in a hurry to make a decision but also stated that there will be no shortage of potential drivers.

« We haven’t decided yet. We are not in a hurry. It could very well be Pedro De La Rosa, » said Dennis in the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.

« There are many options but I can’t name names. The only thing I know is that we don’t need to rush. We are working with Hamilton. Once we have made the choice of his teammate, we can start working with him. »

Alonso parted ways with McLaren-Mercedes two years before the end of his contract, which is quite rare to note, after his relationship with the team deteriorated throughout the season.

Dennis added that it was the first time his team had such problems with a driver.

« I don’t think we’ve had any problems that aren’t normal. In fact, the relationship with Fernando Alonso had become untenable with everyone, » he said.

« We would have liked things not to end this way. But there is nothing we can do now, and we are already thinking about 2008. »

« I think that drivers who have such a difficult temperament are racers with the soul of winners. Anyone who feels like a winner, and who doesn’t win, reacts strongly. »

« But you can’t win at any cost. You have to know how to manage difficult situations and control your possible impulses, » concluded the McLaren boss.