23/10/2007
NEWS STORY
McLaren boss Ron Dennis has said that a decision regarding Fernando Alonso's future will be made within the next two weeks.
With the 2007 season over - all but the decision as to who actually won the title - attention focuses on McLaren and the future of its two-time world Champion.
At the official press conference on Friday, Dennis neatly side-stepped the question of Alonso's futures, saying: "I'm not going to talk about anything about the drivers until it's an appropriate time and that's certainly not here, certainly not this weekend."
However, when pressed a little harder, he responded: "Fernando has a contract with our team. This was the first of three years and as we said last week, two weeks ago, four weeks ago, we aren't going to have any dialogue with any of our drivers about whether they may or may not wish to stay in our team until after this Grand Prix. That's the only answer I have.
"The results speak for themselves this year," he added. "He's obviously a great driver and a great talent, so I don't think any team would not recognise that, but as regards our own position, as I said, it's not under any consideration - the future of any of our drivers - until after this weekend."
Well, the weekend is over, and following a lacklustre performance the question of Alonso's future is uppermost in everyone's mind - that and who will eventually be awarded the 2007 title.
Speaking to reporters, Dennis has now admitted that a decision regarding the Spaniard's future with the Woking outfit is imminent.
"The issue of the drivers is an issue we have continuously told you we will address at the end of the season," he said, "and it will be addressed over the course of the next two weeks. I can tell you we have given it thought, but not thought we can share with you."
Alonso claims not to have spoken to any other teams, however, Renault boss Flavio Briatore has made no secret of his desire to welcome home the French outfit's prodigal son.
With the re-signing of Felipe Massa, the door at Maranello has been slammed shut, and therefore one has to wonder what options the Spaniard really has. Though Toyota is able to offer the big bucks, the only other team that might possibly offer him a winning car next season is BMW.
Then again, in a season filled with more twists and surprises that a dime-store mystery, maybe Ron and Fernando will confound us all by sorting out their differences. We would say that they might surprise us all by 'burying the hatchet', but there's been more than enough of that in 2007 already.