---
title: "Alonso hints at intention to leave McLaren"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/05/11/alonso-hints-intention-leave-mclaren/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2017-05-11T14:54:30Z"
modified: "2017-05-11T14:54:30Z"
---

# Alonso hints at intention to leave McLaren

Fernando Alonso has hinted at his intentions to leave McLaren at the end of the season if the team does not seem capable of providing race winning machinery for 2018.

Alonso will be out of contract with McLaren at the end of the season, having re-joined the team in 2015 for the resumption of the famous McLaren-Honda partnership.

After unreliability has been coupled with poor power unit performance over the course of Alonso’s second stay, the Spaniard is rumoured to be heading elsewhere next season and has done little to quell the speculation in Thursday’s press conference ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

“My intention and first priority is to race here \[in Formula 1\] next year and not only to race, but to win,” Alonso stated. “I have not got any more obligations with McLaren. I am happy with the team, but we are not winning.

“So if from here to September, October, we are in a position to win in 2018, I will be more than happy to stay with the team. If it’s not the case, I will be more than happy to talk to anyone.”

Alonso has been linked with a possible return to Renault for next year, where he won his two Formula 1 world titles back in 2005 and 2006.

With Valtteri Bottas yet to extend his Mercedes ties past this season, a potential opportunity may also arise for Alonso at Mercedes. Whether the team would gamble on fielding Alonso alongside Lewis Hamilton, based on the previous form as team-mates, is doubtful at best.

‘Silly season’ speculation may have commenced, but Alonso is in no rush to make plans for next season.

“I will have to think a little bit after the summer because now is a busy period plus the Indy 500, it will not be a time to think any further ahead than this summer.”