F1 News
Fernando Alonso no longer a McLaren ambassador
- Bevan Youl
Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso is no longer a brand ambassador for McLaren according to Spain’s Marca after the two did not renew their contract for 2020.
Alonso joined McLaren in 2015 from Ferrari but endured a difficult time on track with their partnership in engine supplier Honda before their switch to Renault, prompting his attention to drift towards other motorsport activities.
The Spaniard retired from Formula 1 at the end of 2018 but retained an association with the Woking-based team for 2019.
As brand ambassador, Alonso appeared in team kit at Grand Prix’s across the season as well as testing the McLaren MCL34 in the test after the race in Bahrain.
The 38-year old entered the Indianapolis 500 with McLaren in association with Honda and Andretti in 2017 and finished 24th, making a return again solely under the car manufacturers name in 2019 but failed to qualify.
Alonso also entered the 2018-19 World Endurance Championship with Toyota Gazoo Racing, going on to win the championship and back to back 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He recently took part in the 2020 Dakar Rally with Toyota, finishing 13th but is likely to return once again to the Indy500 for a third attempt at earning the ‘triple crown’ title (winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy500 and Le Mans 24 Hours).