F1 news: Fernando Alonso future revealed by McLaren boss Zak Brown amid Red Bull links
FERNANDO ALONSO’s future with McLaren is still up in the air, says the team's chief operating officer Zak Brown.
Fernando Alonso thanks fans after Austrian Grand Prix
Alonso has cut a frustrated figure for the majority of the season after McLaren failed to deliver on a number of key promises.
The Spaniard was told ahead of the campaign that he would be given a car to challenge at the front of the grid.
But instead, Alonso finds himself ninth in the Drivers’ Championship, behind the likes of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Red Bull have been linked with a move for the two-time world champion after Daniel Ricciardo announced he was leaving the team.
And Brown says he would be keen to keep Alonso at McLaren but hints they may lose their driver.
“I think if we were more competitive, he’d definitely want to stay in Formula One,” Brown told the Indianpolis Star.
“He’s talked about his frustrations about being in a Manufacturers’ Championship as opposed to a Drivers’ Championship.
“If you look at the race results, it’s probably a fairly fair statement.
“He likes to challenge himself. And racing the Indy 500 and/or IndyCar might compel him.”
Alonso is also likely to have his head turned by IndyCar, Brown confirms.
“He’s very interested,” Brown added.
“He likes the series but hasn’t decided yet what he wants to do as it relates to Formula One.
“He thinks it (IndyCar) is great racing. He loves the Indy 500. So I think he very much enjoyed that experience. He’s a racer. He likes to race.
“I think winning not only the Triple Crown but all three series (Formula One, IndyCar, WEC), he probably finds intriguing.
“And he likes the racing in IndyCar. It’s extremely competitive. And he likes America, so I know it’s something he would consider.”