Fernando Alonso has attempted to diffuse the uncertainty surrounding his Formula One future by reaffirming his commitment to McLaren.
Alonso, the double world champion, is in the second of a three-year deal which he signed with the British team after leaving Ferrari.
But the Spaniard’s commitment to them came under intense scurrility towards the end of last year’s miserable season in which he scored only 11 points.
The team’s chairman Ron Dennis even hinted that Alonso may consider a sabbatical from the sport if this year’s car is not up to scratch.
But when asked if he would see out the season, which gets under way in Melbourne on March 20, with McLaren, Alonso said: “Of course and the next one. All week there have been some rumours.
“When there are too many weeks, or too many months with no action on the track, there is a dangerous tendency to be created from the news. It is good that now we are on track and hopefully there are no more rumours.”
Alonso, 34, completed 119 laps at the Circuit de Catalunya yesterday as he got his first taste of this year’s McLaren on the second day of pre-season testing.
Twelve months ago, the Spaniard managed just seven laps as McLaren and their engine supplier Honda struggled for reliability.
“There is not a crystal ball in Formula One that you can see or know which direction the year will go after testing,” said Alonso on the team’s prospects for the new campaign.
“The ambition is very high because I am not here just to travel around the world and jump in the car and have fun on Sunday. I am here to win. All the 22 drivers want the same.”
While Sebastian Vettel, who replaced Alonso at Ferrari, posted the fastest lap here for the second successive day, raising hopes that they can challenge for the title this season, Nico Rosberg completed almost three races distances after he racked up 172 laps in his bullet-proof Mercedes.
.@alo_oficial has clocked up 100 laps so far today - only @nico_rosberg (116) has done more #F1Testing https://t.co/E7F4DHd8ca
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 23, 2016
Alonso added: “I think the Mercedes domination has not finished. They are very, very strong and they have had some interesting days.
“With that amount of laps it means they have very clear things so when they put that together with their potential they are stronger than ever probably.
“To win is not an easy task but I am very proud of the team and what we have achieved in the last couple
of months. The motivation is very high so who knows?
“I will like to be competitive and fighting for something important but honestly I don’t know.”
