Fernando Alonso believes even if McLaren opts to renew acquaintances with Mercedes power for 2018 it will not be enough to develop them into race winners.
McLaren is rumoured to have pulled the plug on their deal with engine supplier Honda after three years of poor reliability and a lack of competitiveness.
The Woking-based outfit was powered by Mercedes engines for 20 years between 1995-2014, before switching to Honda the following year in a bid to repeat the golden period they endured with the Japanese company from 1988-1992.
However, Alonso is not convinced a change in engine supplier will be enough to help propel McLaren back to the front of the grid.
Asked by Sky Sports News if Mercedes could assure McLaren would fight for victories and championships again, the Spaniard said: “Not really, it will not change much.
“Obviously in McLaren at the moment we are not very competitive and we know one of the parts, the engine side, is not competitive enough to win.
“I’m sure that the team is exploring whatever possibility to make this competitive and hopefully next year McLaren will be in a different position. It’s what we all want but in my case, it’s independent to whatever engine they have.
“I just want to win. We’ll see what happens.”
Alonso’s future at McLaren is uncertain with the double world champion stating he would consider staying if the team were winning by September.
Although his next destination is not clear, the 35-year-old says he’s remaining calm about the situation.
“There are some movements out there,” he added. “I know there are even more movements than probably we all know and there are some teams we think are set for next year, I don’t think it’s so clear that they are 100
“I know there are even more movements than probably we all know and there are some teams we think are set for next year, I don’t think it’s so clear that they are 100 percent confirmed. So I think there will be a lot of changes for next year.
“I will try to stay calm and pick up the best decision for next year.”
