Fernando Alonso: I’m staying at McLaren – and can win a third world title here

Updated 13/12/2016 at 18:43 GMT

Fernando Alonso has quashed speculation linking him with a switch to Mercedes by affirming his commitment to McLaren.

Fernando Alonso, McLaren

Image credit: Reuters

Alonso was in the frame to replace Nico Rosberg, who quit Formula 1 days after winning a maiden world championship.

That relocation would have paired the Spaniard with old foe Lewis Hamilton, with whom he had a thorny relationship at McLaren in 2007.

However, Alonso has repeated his confident Flavio Briatore’s views and says he is not interested in leaving his current employers.

23/02/2024 at 15:35

Rosberg: It's a difficult relationship with Hamilton

"I believe in this project," he said. "I'm committed and I want to be world champion with McLaren-Honda. That's my only goal."

Alonso will partner Stoffel Vandoorne in 2017 following Jenson Button’s retirement.

Valtteri Bottas is widely considered the front-runner to fill the vacancy, although Mercedes have had an initial approach rebuffed by Williams.

Rosberg toasts F1 title success at Mercedes HQ

Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein is also in the frame.

15/02/2024 at 23:54

14/02/2024 at 17:32

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