Fernando Alonso set to become a McLaren shareholder?

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Fernando Alonso's close ties with McLaren could be set to grow even closer as the Spaniard is rumored to become an investor in McLaren Racing.

According to Spanish website Soymotor, an announcement outlining Alonso's involvement with the company is expected at the upcoming Autosport International show to be held in Birmingham from January 10th to 13th.

Alonso would acquire an interest in a new company that would run all of McLaren's racing activities, including Formula 1, IndyCar and future potential projects such as Le Mans.

Brown: McLaren's road to recovery is a five-year plan!

But wait! Isn't December 28 the "Day of the Innocent" in Spain, or the equivalent of April Fool's?

Admittedly, the idea of Alonso investing in McLaren isn't all that far-fetched.

After all, the McLaren Group, principally owned by Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and long-term shareholder Mansour Ojjeh, opened its capital to outside investment earlier this year when Michael Latifi - the father of F2 racer Nicholas Latifi - acquired a 200 million euro stake in the company.

While he won't be racing F1 next year, Alonso will retain a close link with McLaren, the 37-year-old and the British team pairing up once again to tackle the Indy 500 next May.

McLaren boss Zak Brown also alluded to the possibility of Alonso testing the team's 2019 F1 car, in a bid to provide feedback and help with its development, a move that would also leave the door open to a full-time return of the two-time world champion to Grand Prix racing in the future.

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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.