Fernando Alonso looks set to remain at McLaren until at least the end of 2017 after Ron Dennis confirmed the Spaniard’s contract is for three-years.
It was believed that Alonso had a three-year deal, but with an option to leave after just two, or even one, should the McLaren-Honda partnership fail to deliver strong results.
With neither Alonso or team-mate Jenson Button having scored a single point in the opening four races, some – including Felipe Massa – believe the two-time champion is ready to excerise such an option and quit McLaren or even the sport.
However Dennis has confirmed that he has no such options and the deal they signed last year is for three straight seasons.
“He has a straight three-year contract with us, with no options,” the Briton told the official Formula 1 website.
“It’s as simple as that. That’s what we wanted to offer him, and that’s what he wanted to sign. I can’t make it plainer than that, can I?”
Dennis also dispelled rumours that the previously strained relationship, when the duo worked together before, has returned to Woking following their difficult start to 2015.
“People tend to talk a lot of nonsense about the McLaren-Alonso relationship,” he added. “Okay, 2007 was a stressful year, but that’s ancient history now.
“The Fernando we’re working with today, now, is a fantastically motivated and inspirational man. He’s as quick as ever, as competitive as ever, more experienced than ever, more expert than ever, and he combines those traits with an infectious energy and enthusiasm.”
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