Ecclestone: 'McLaren won't be any happier with Renault'

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Formula One chairman emeritus Bernie Ecclestone is skeptical that McLaren's state of affairs will improve next season with Renault.

The Woking-based outfit has negotiated a release from its partnership with Honda, following a dismal three-year period of woes and under-performance, and inked a deal with Renault which allegedly runs until the end of 2020.

McLaren's new engine supply deal with the French manufacturer should also be the deal-breaker necessary to keep Fernando Alonso on-board, at least for another year.

One man who isn't impressed however by the epilogue to the McLaren-Honda plot is former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

McLaren and Honda call it quits!

"The Renault deal is all done. Alonso staying is super news," said Ecclestone.

"But I can't see why McLaren will be any happier with Renault than they are with Honda.

"It wasn't Honda's fault things didn't work out, it was McLaren's.

"Every day they had a fight about everything, instead of working with them, which was a little bit stupid."

Regardless of Bernie's negative views, the development is an important step for McLaren and the first major deal concluded in the team's post-Ron Dennis era and under Zak Brown's leadership.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.