Alonso Leaves McLaren

[Vezna31]

Season 2007 - Alonso leaves McLaren
Eurosport - Fri, 02 Nov 12:20:00 2007
Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has left the McLaren team just one year into a three-year deal.

"Following a meeting between Fernando Alonso and McLaren, it was agreed that it would be in the best interests of both parties to bring the relationship to an end," McLaren said.

Alonso admitted as early as June that he was "not comfortable" with his position in the team relative to his rookie British team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

And his position appeared to become untenable when team boss Ron Dennis revealed that Alonso had threatened to give emails, proving that the team knew about technical secrets leaked to the team's chief designer Mike Coughlan, to the FIA.

The incident led to Dennis having to tell the FIA himself about the emails, resulting in exclusion from the constructors' championship and a £50.2 million fine.

Alonso and Dennis are not believed to have spoken since, leading to the termination of his contract.

Alonso started 17 races for McLaren, winning four of them.

Where he will drive next year is unknown with his former team Renault and also Toyota and Williams known to be interested in his services

[monkeymaker]

Not surprising.  I can't wait to see how much of a pay cut he has to take now. 

[indiandi]

So did they buy him out or did he leave all that money on the table? 

[Vezna31]

So did they buy him out or did he leave all that money on the table? 

Mutual agreement, no money exchanged.  The only stipulation is that he can not drive for Ferrari.

[Vezna31]

Popular opinion is that he will drive for a lesser team until an opening at Ferrari in 2009 or 2010.  That would kill me since I am a Ferrari fan and have nothing but disgust for Alonso.