Alonso management in talks with Mercedes and Renault

McLaren-Honda driver, Fernando Alonso, has had members of his management team speaking with prospective teams in the paddock this weekend. It is a well-known fact that Alonso is unhappy with the current state of things at McLaren and is trying to find a team capable of winning races for the 2018 season.

Alonso’s manager, Luis Garcia Abad was seen in the Renault hospitality area speaking with team bosses Cyril Abiteboul and Alain Prost perhaps signalling a move back to the Enstone team where he won both of his world championships in 2005 and 2006.

There was also Flavio Briatore, who has seen over the Spaniard for most of his career, and well-known ally and advocate of his, who was seen meeting with Mercedes chiefs, Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda, perhaps signalling a move for the Spaniard to the current world champions.

When asked about the meeting though both parties played down a prospective move for Alonso. When Wolff was asked about the meeting he said: "When you eat with Flavio, the conversation inevitably comes to Fernando Alonso! But we are very satisfied with our two drivers and see no reason to change. So there was no talk about a contract for Alonso."

Briatore also refused to speculate on a Mercedes move for the Spaniard saying: "Nothing, there is nothing. You always ask me about Fernando's future but now is not the time. The future at the moment is McLaren. What he has shown is that he is driving at the highest level, that's for sure."

When Alonso himself was asked about a move away from Mclaren he maintained his line that no decision will be made until after the summer break in Formula 1.

“In the summer I will look at all the options and try to make the best decision to put me in a position to win,” said Alonso, adding a move to Mercedes is "quite a fantasy."

Sam Gale