Briatore warns Alonso could quit F1 if McLaren can't deliver
Flavio Briatore says Fernando Alonso may leave Formula One altogether if he cannot secure a car capable of winning, following a troubled start to his McLaren return.
Flavio Briatore has said Fernando Alonso could walk away from Formula One if he cannot get back in a car capable of winning races, raising the prospect of the double world champion seeking success outside the series. Briatore, who remains a key figure in Alonso’s management, made the comments in an interview with Spain’s El Mundo in late September 2015.
Briatore Hints at Alonso's Potential Departure from F1
Briatore has played a significant role in Alonso’s career, having brought him into Formula One and guided him to two world titles at Renault. He remains closely involved in Alonso's management and was instrumental in encouraging Alonso to leave Ferrari for McLaren at the end of 2014, following a period of tension at Ferrari.
Reasons Behind Alonso's Ferrari Exit
According to Briatore, the arrival of Marco Mattiacci as Ferrari team principal made Alonso’s position at the Italian team untenable, with the driver being blamed for the team’s lack of success. Briatore suggested that Alonso might have stayed if Mattiacci had not taken charge, but ultimately left for McLaren when Maurizio Arrivabene was later installed as team boss.
Struggles at McLaren-Honda
Alonso’s return to McLaren in 2015, this time with Honda as engine partner, has been far from the success either party hoped for. The car has been uncompetitive, with persistent reliability problems and a lack of pace. Briatore admitted that “no one imagined it would be this disaster”, but expressed confidence that Honda’s engineering capability would eventually deliver results. He predicted that McLaren-Honda would be fighting for podiums in 2016, given Honda’s resources and track record in engine development.
Alonso’s Future If McLaren Fails to Improve
Briatore was clear that Alonso’s patience is not unlimited. If McLaren cannot provide a car capable of challenging at the front, Briatore said Alonso would look for a winning opportunity outside Formula One. This warning reflects the frustration of a driver who, despite his talent and two world championships, has spent recent years unable to compete for regular victories.
Recent Changes at Ferrari and McLaren
Briatore’s comments come after a period of upheaval for both Alonso and Ferrari. While Ferrari, under Arrivabene and with Sebastian Vettel, has returned to regular podiums and remains in outside contention for the title, Alonso has endured a difficult season at McLaren. The team’s struggles have been marked by technical issues and underwhelming results, increasing the pressure on McLaren-Honda to deliver rapid progress if they are to retain Alonso’s services in the medium term.
Alonso at a Career Crossroads
Alonso’s willingness to leave Formula One for a competitive drive elsewhere is not new. The Spaniard has previously been linked to other categories, and his frustration with uncompetitive machinery is well documented. Briatore’s intervention makes clear that, unless McLaren-Honda can turn things around quickly, Alonso’s future in the sport remains uncertain.
Briatore has managed Alonso since his teenage years and oversaw his two world titles at Renault. After a difficult spell at Ferrari, Alonso moved to McLaren in 2015, but McLaren-Honda’s poor form has cast doubt on Alonso’s future in F1.
- Briatore remains a central figure in Alonso’s management.
- Alonso left Ferrari after a breakdown in relations with team management.
- McLaren-Honda’s 2015 season has been disappointing, with reliability and pace issues.
- Alonso’s future in F1 is uncertain if McLaren cannot provide a competitive car.
