Dennis insists: "No problem between team and Alonso"

  • Published on 30 Mar 2015 10:29
  • comments 1
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Ron Dennis has played down suggestions McLaren's relationship with Fernando Alonso is once again breaking down. In 2007, paired with rookie Lewis Hamilton and amid the spy scandal, Alonso's first McLaren tenure ended after just one acrimonious season.

The parties are back together in 2015, but some regard it as little more than a marriage of convenience, following the breakdown of Alonso's relationship with Ferrari after five consecutive title-less campaigns. But Alonso-McLaren in 2015 has arguably already been more tumultuous than eight years ago, even though barely a wheel has turned.

Not only is the MP4-30 slow, the 33-year-old's mysterious Barcelona crash has reportedly driven a wedge between Alonso and McLaren. Some observers remarked that Alonso's press conference on Thursday, during which he directly contradicted most of the official claims made by McLaren in the past weeks, was an obvious "attack" on the British team.

Team supremo Ron Dennis, who clashed so spectacularly with Alonso eight years ago, arrived at Sepang on Saturday. He insisted: "There is no problem between the team and Fernando. He gave his recollection of events, we provided our data relating to the accident, and that's the end of the story. Everything is fine," Dennis is quoted by the Telegraph.

But glaring questions about the bizarre Barcelona testing crash and aftermath remain. Reigning champion Hamilton was a lone voice in the drivers' briefing in Malaysia when he pressed Charlie Whiting for answers.

"He crashed and then they did what?" the Briton is quoted as saying, after hearing about Alonso's account of the crash. "They gave him medication? Really? Has the FIA come out with their statement (following an investigation)? That will be very interesting to hear," said Hamilton.

So as the odd tale continues, so too will the wild speculation. The Cologne tabloid Express has floated a bizarre theory about doping. It claims Alonso, a huge cycling fan, has links to Eufemiano Fuentes, a Spanish doctor linked to doping scandals. And Alonso's trainer, Fabrizio Borra, has worked with the late cyclist Marco Pantani, who died of cocaine poisoning in 2004. (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • ianf1

    Posts: 185

    The media *so* wants there to be a falling out between Alonso and McLaren, it's not funny.

    • + 0
    • Mar 30 2015 - 21:03

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar