New Delhi: Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has agreed to join the McLaren Mercedes team in 2007. The Spaniard won seven races with Renault this season to become the youngest driver ever to take the title at the age of 24.
The celebrations following Renault's world title win had barely subsided when Alonso confirmed that the 2006 season will be his last with the team.
This means that Kimi Raikkonen or Juan Pablo Montoya will have to make way at McLaren for the youngster.
Alonso's announcement came less than a week after mobile phone company Vodafone said it would sponsor McLaren from 2007, ending it's contract with Ferrari after next season.
This surprise news means the Spaniard will add his name to a McLaren roll call which includes the sport's most famous sons.
McLaren, formed in 1963, are the second most successful team in Formula One history, beaten only by Ferrari, and much will be expected of Alonso when he joins at the start of 2007.
Some of the brightest McLaren stars who have preceded Alonso include Ayrton Senna (1988-1993), Alain Prost (1980, 1984-89), Emerson Fittipaldi (1974-75), Mika Hakkinen (1993-2001) and Niki Lauda (1982-1985).
Comments
0 comment