28/11/2015
NEWS STORY
Fernando Alonso has dismissed speculation that her might opt to sit-out the 2016 season.
It's fair to say that such have been the travails of the 2015 season, weaker men than Fernando Alonso and his teammate Jenson Button would have broken.
Instead, other than the odd moment of understandable frustration the two have risen to the occasion, insisting that things will improve and that McLaren-Honda will return to its winning ways.
One such moment when the Spaniard appeared to crack was at Suzuka when he told reporters that he didn't know whether he would be around next season.
Shortly after, he took to Twitter, confirming his belief in his team, insisting that he will see out the remainder of his contract.
That momentary, though totally understandable, blip was all that some sections of the media needed and ever since there has been speculation over whether the Spaniard would be prepared to put himself through another such season.
Nobody expected it to be easy, indeed when it was first announced that the Spaniard was returning to McLaren, where he spent a torrid, controversial season in 2007 culminating in one of the biggest scandals to hit the sport, many warned that, like the first time, it would end in tears.
Having addressed his team earlier in the day, telling the crew of his belief in them and that the Woking outfit team will return to its winning ways - after which he received a standing ovation - Ron Dennis held a press conference at which he appeared to throw Alonso a lifeline.
Asked about the continued doubts regarding Alonso, Dennis was adamant.
"He will definitely finish his career in a McLaren," he said.
"I have an open mind to anything," he replied when asked if there was any chance the Spaniard might walk away, as hinted at in Japan. "Some of the ideas have involved those sorts of considerations, sabbatical years etc. But at this moment of time I would say that we believe we know where we'll be.
"We've got a great number of driver options and we've got probably two of the best drivers in the world in our cars," he added. "When we have to take the decision we'll take it together and at this moment of time our drivers for next year are Fernando and Jenson."
When the Spaniard was later asked if he was considering a sabbatical, he smiled and said "No, not really."
Of course, should the 2016 package not live up to expectations when it takes to the track at Barcelona in late February, a sabbatical might offer a less stressful alternative.
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