Alonso: McLaren is not a winning team

« I would have a better chance of winning with Renault in the next few years than I had with McLaren, » argued Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard claimed that he did not leave McLaren-Mercedes at the end of 2007 due to conflicts with his former teammate, Lewis Hamilton, or his former team principal, Ron Dennis, but rather because he believed the British team was not a winning team.

His three-year contract with McLaren was cut short, and he then decided to return to Renault, with whom he became the world drivers’ champion twice (in 2005 and 2006).

Even though his current car, the R28, has proven to be a disappointment in terms of pace, the Spaniard claimed he had a better chance of winning another title with Renault in the coming years than if he had stayed with the Woking team.

« Some teams are able to bring good cars that might seem like winners, but in fact, they are not, like the McLarens, » he stated.

The team hasn’t won a title in years, so I prefer to be with Renault, who recently secured two driver titles and two constructor titles.

Currently, a good number of rumors link the 26-year-old Spaniard with Ferrari in 2009. He also emphasized that Renault is the best choice for him at the moment.

« I could have turned to other teams. In the end, Renault seemed to be the right team thanks to its experience, the fact of producing a good car and being able to win races, » he acknowledged.

« Next year, I want to be with a team that can win. For now, I think it will be Renault, because by the end of the season, we will address a significant number of our shortcomings. We will then take another step forward towards the next season. »