After a disappointing Belgian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso insists that he is still having fun as he moves closer to making a decision over his future.
Familiar quips were heard over the radio once again during the race, where after an impressive start to climb to seventh, he fell down the field and outside of the top ten. The lack of speed from the Honda engine evident as he was overtaken by Force India’s and Renault’s, leaving him vulnerable on the Kemmel Straight without the advantage of DRS.
During the race he referred to the performance as ’embarrassing’ and ‘this is just a test’ as he slipped down the field, later retiring with an engine related problem.
Talking to SkySports F1 after the race, he hinted on his future with the team if Honda remains as McLaren’s engine partner.
“We will see what happens in the next couple of weekends. McLaren is always one of the best teams in the world and I would be happy to keep working with them but we need to see how things evolve in the next couple of weeks.”
He revealed on Saturday he has other offers from other teams, believed to be Renault and Williams if relations with McLaren breakdown over their future engine direction.
“I have had offers. I have had offers in June, July and August. 60 per cent of them I have said no to already, the other 40 per cent is still on the table,” he added.
Renault has confirmed they are ‘open’ to supplying McLaren with engines for 2018, which have included a swap between Toro Rosso and McLaren, but talks have since stalled.
