Fernando Alonso to join McLaren

[Martyn]

World Champion Fernando Alonso will be driving for the team from the start of the 2007 season.

Alonso's decision to sign for the Woking-based team means that either Kimi Raikkonen or Juan Pablo Montoya will be moving aside to make way for the Spanish star - which is likely to have a considerable knock-on effect throughout the rest of the drivers market.

It will also be interesting to see what effect the announcement has on Alonso's motivation during the 2006 season - when he will still be driving for the Renault team. Juan-Pablo Montoya suffered from a relatively disappointing season in 2004 after it was announced that he would be leaving Williams for McLaren.

"It's great that our strong belief in the strength and competitiveness of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes package has been further endorsed by the World Champion," said Ron Dennis, Team Principal of McLaren. "We always make it clear that we want to be the best and the only way of achieving this objective is by attracting the best people, the best drivers and the best sponsors. To be able to announce Vodafone as only McLaren's third title partner in more than 30 years and Fernando's employment within only a few days is fantastic news for the team, our partners, Formula One and the fans."

"We are in discussions with our current drivers' Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya regarding the 2007 season", continued Dennis - confirming that one of them is likely to be forced out by the decision. "Both Juan Pablo and Kimi are extremely talented, professional and competitive Formula One drivers and they have and will continue to concentrate on our joint challenge for the Championships."

"Fernando and McLaren Mercedes wanted to make the announcement as soon as possible in a controlled and professional manner to allow McLaren Mercedes, Fernando, Kimi and Juan Pablo to focus on the preparations for the 2006 season," states Ron Dennis. "Our aim for next year remains absolutely clear to everybody within the team ? we want to win races and be in a position where we might have two Formula One World Champions driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in 2007."

"We are pleased to welcome Fernando to the team and look forward to working both with him and our new title sponsor in 2007," said Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. "To have a World Champion joining the team is a great endorsement and will create a tremendous amount of excitement. However for now our focus must remain on the 2006 season where we want to go one better than we did in 2005."

Speaking about the move, 2005 Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso commented "To become part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for performance is a dream come true for any Formula One driver. I am very excited about 2007 and the fantastic opportunity to drive for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It will be a new beginning for me and a tremendous challenge and from what I have heard about this exciting new Partnership there is something to look forward to. Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come along which are just too good to miss. I'm pleased that we are able to make this announcement already now as it will allow my current team and I to focus 100 per cent on defending the World Championships next year."

Now this is surprisin:blink:k:

But good since I support McLaren. Personally, I think that this means Montoya will be leaving. Which is a shame since I love both Raikkonen and Montoya. But Raikkonen does seem to be the better driver and has a better relationship with Ron Dennis. Montoya has great entertainment value though...

[sn00pie]

(Y) (Y) (Y) !!!!!

Awesome news! :p

[rickm550]

Wow didnt expect this.

Wonder if Kimi will defect to Ferrari in 2007?

[Julius Caro]

It would be fun to see both Kimi and Fernando in the same team.

[brotherrabbit]

Cool news, not like it's going to make a difference anyway, schumacher will just own the championship :)

GO FERRARI!!!!!!!

[Detroit]

Whoa, this might be some turn of events in the ferrari team ^^

[..Vector..]

I think Kimi will be off to Ferrari to replace Schumacher in 2007 myself, even though it would be great to have a team of Raikkonnen and Alonso :D

[EduardValencia]

raikonnen and montoya will fight the other car :s

hoping for montoya :)

[Martyn]

I highly doubt Kimi will go to Ferrari, he is a McLaren man! I mean...what would Hakkinen say? :p

[Shibby]

hopefully montoya will move out the way because i don't think he was that great last season, Kimi is the beez kneez he's such a great driver and just a shame that the cars let him down at times.

[Salohcine]

Hate to tell you but Riakonnen is moving to Ferrari it was in Autosport a few months back. He has signed an agreement with them for 2007.

[Y2Stu]

Cool news, not like it's going to make a difference anyway, schumacher will just own the championship :)

GO FERRARI!!!!!!!

Like he did last season (current one just gone) with his 1 win.

anyway god dammit i hope Montoya don't go, he's ma fav F1 driver

[S.MULLA]

most likely Kimi will be moving to Ferrari- as schumi will retire end of next season. but this move from alonso was totally out of the blue. Mclaren definatly know how to get the best. first Vodafone as a major sponser and now the world champion over a season before transfer :)

[Lycan]

hope Montoya leaves, his performances are too unstable, year ago I was already hoping Alonso would come instead of Montoya.

[ahmz]

I hope Raikkonen leaves to another team.. I hate seeing 2 champion drivers on the one team, imo it makes things less fun and competitive.

[geek_rohit]

Really surprising news!!!

Didn't expect that to happen. Now I think Kimi will move to Ferrari when Alonso comes to McLaren.

[Crazysah]

I can't believe this! It must be cause Kimi has decided to move to Ferrari (which I hope not)! I did not want this to happen!!1

[Martyn]

I really hope Kimi does not go to Ferrari. I hate Ferrari with a passion, but I like Raikkonen.

[DreAming in DigITal]

/\ Same here...either way Ferrari could get Kimi or Juan...they're both very good.

[satishsays.com]

Any one of them (Kimi or Juan) could be better than Massa :s at Ferrari. And Ferrari are back up the charts(winter testing) with their V8's this season.

[Martyn]

Any one of them (Kimi or Juan) could be better than Massa :s at Ferrari. And Ferrari are back up the charts(winter testing) with their V8's this season.

I was surprised with Massa's move to Ferrari, I would of said Rubens was a much better driver than him. I suppose that Ferrari were mega impressed with him in testing or something.

They have there reasons.

[BigGiantHead]

This came as a total surprise with Renault doing so well this season. I think that Kimi will either move to Ferrari in 2007 or there could be one of those swap deals. Montoya could be headed to Renault.

[deuz]

I hope Raikkonen leaves to another team.. I hate seeing 2 champion drivers on the one team, imo it makes things less fun and competitive.

yeh its gonna b **** on mclaren now

[satishsays.com]

If you dont know, Jean Todt's(who is Ferrari's princi) son is Massa's manager. Anyways lets see what he does in 2006.

[SamNeeds]

Hmm i wonder who they will drop. Montoya is fairly new, so it would seem odd dropping him.