DC: 'Alonso could leave McLaren at any time'

Former grand prix winner David Coulthard thinks Fernando Alonso could “walk away from McLaren at any time” in the wake of another difficult race weekend in Japan.

The Spaniard finished on the cusp of the points-paying positions at Suzuka, but repeatedly voiced his frustration at being overtaken so easily in a straight line and went as far likening his Honda power unit as a “GP2 engine”.

Although McLaren chairman Ron Dennis insisted earlier this year that Alonso was locked in a three-season deal with Woking, Coulthard can see the double world champion throwing the towel in earlier.

“[Alonso] has two more years remaining on his McLaren-Honda contract,” DC wrote in his latest BBC Sport column.

“But the team radio messages he gave during the Japanese Grand Prix betrayed his frustration, as did him saying afterwards that he did not know whether he would still be in F1 next year.

“The fact is, Fernando could walk away from McLaren at any time if he was not happy, and the only thing he would forfeit is money, not face or honour.”

Coulthard then slightly qualifies his statement, as he believes the 34-year-old will see it through to the end of the current campaign and gauge his 2016 challenger before making a decision.

“As we saw with Ferrari's big step forward on the engine front last winter, a lot can change from one season to the next.

“Alonso will get an indication of where Honda are in pre-season testing next year and then validation at the first race of the season in Australia.

“If it looks like Honda has taken a significant step forward, he will probably go marching on. If it doesn't, I could well see someone like that going: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Fernando Alonso has left the building.”

Chris Medland's Japanese Grand Prix review

"I'm joking. You can laugh as well" - Rosberg and Vettel's awkward exchange

Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Las Vegas GP: Thursday's action in pictures

The opening day of running at the Las Vegas GP was a smooth but chilly…

3 hours ago

Williams' headaches persist into Vegas practice

Williams is continuing to fight uphill battles this weekend in Las Vegas as a knock-on…

4 hours ago

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

5 hours ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

6 hours ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

8 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

8 hours ago