Sochi, Russia // Fernando Alonso on Thursday made light of his frustrations with the struggling McLaren team and confirmed he plans to stay with the team next year and through 2017.
He said his widely broadcast radio messages, in which he criticised the performance of his car’s Honda engine during the Japanese Grand Prix, were insignificant and had not upset Honda.
After two weeks of intense speculation about his future, the two-time world champion said his plans were clear and he was not thinking of retiring before the end of his contract which runs until 2017.
Asked if he would still be racing for McLaren next year, he said: “Yes, of course … And 2017, yes.”
Teammate Briton Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, has agreed to stay with the team next year.
Alonso said also that his radio comments in Japan had not caused any problems within the team.
In that race, he said the performance of his Honda engine was “embarrassing” and he also compared it to the units used by cars racing in junior category GP2.
He explained that his comments came from pure frustration in the heat of the race.
“Obviously we have been all season very positive about the team and the car,” he said. “We face some difficult times, some tough times as a team, and what you talk on the radio should remain private because you are talking to the team.
“When you are in a car, and in a race, and you try to give it all and you are fighting lap after lap and you keep losing positions easily on the straight, even before the braking-point, you get some frustration out there on the radio.
“But I am happy it was only broadcast in Suzuka because if you hear other races, other radio messages from me or Jenson, you will be even more surprised.”
He said he had received more important and more encouraging lessons during a meeting with Honda in Japan before the race.
“That was the most important part of the weekend and the messages were important. Those were very, very clear - and more clear than Sunday.”
F1 will go on without Red Bull, says Wolff
Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff believes Formula One can survive if Red Bull Racing and their sister team, Toro Rosso, walk out, but at a cost.
On the eve of opening practice for this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix, the two teams remain without engine deals for 2016.
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has made it clear that if they cannot find a competitive top-quality supplier he would be prepared to walk away.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari are reluctant to help Red Bull out - Mercedes having rejected the idea and Ferrari saying they do not want to give them an up-to-date power unit.
“I would say that, definitely, losing Red Bull and Toro Rosso like that would not be good for F1,” said Wolff.
“It would be a big loss. So I hope it does not happen. Red Bull is a very hip brand and it is important for F1.
“I hope they can find an engine supplier. I know that negotiations are ongoing, but not with us. Let’s see how it pans out...”
Many close observers of the latest threat to the sport believe that a Red Bull departure would have a devastating effect on its image and brand.
“I think that in the current circumstances it is important to keep all teams, but we have seen teams coming and going,” Wolff added.
“I am not saying Red Bull is any is different to the others. It is a great brand, but a few years ago, in just 18 months, we saw that Toyota, Honda and BMW all left and F1 survived.
“Our emphasis at the moment must be on trying to keep them in the sport. If we cannot, because it is taken out of our hands, I think F1 can survive but it is not ideal.”
This week’s schedule
Friday
First practice, 11am
Second practice, 3pm
Saturday
Final practice, 1pm
Qualifying, 4pm
Sunday
Russian Grand Prix, 3pm
Coverage on beIN Sports
