Fernando Alonso and McLaren are once again the protagonists of a possible reunion. Not in Formula 1, where their paths diverged with more disappointments than successes, but in other motorsport disciplines that will allow them to settle old scores. Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, has publicly opened the door to the two-time world champion, making it clear that his respect and admiration for the Spanish driver remain intact. The executive’s statements at the Laureus Awards have rekindled a flame that seemed to have been extinguished since 2018, when Alonso and the Woking-based team ended their second stint together.
McLaren and Alonso
The relationship between Alonso and McLaren has been as intense as it has been complex. The first chapter in 2007 was marked by internal tensions with Ron Dennis and a rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. The second attempt, between 2015 and 2018, also failed to bear fruit, hampered by the lack of competitiveness of the Honda engine. However, the passage of time seems to have healed old wounds.
“Fernando is one of my heroes,” Zak Brown said in Madrid. ”He raced for McLaren, he’s a good friend, I’d love to see him back in a McLaren.” The executive’s words are not accidental: his rapport with Alonso has been evident even after the Spaniard’s departure, and now that McLaren is planning to enter the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2027, the doors are open for a third act away from Formula 1.
Alonso and the WEC
Brown’s goal is not to have Alonso back in an F1 car – “we have Norris and Piastri for many years,” he clarified – but to explore other avenues of collaboration, as they did in the past with IndyCar. The WEC, where Alonso has already been world champion and winner at Le Mans, is the most promising arena.
“Fernando won at Le Mans, we’re going to be back at Le Mans… And the Indy 500 still (hasn’t been won), although we’ve tried several times,” said Brown, who insisted on his desire to revive a sporting alliance with the Spaniard: ”I’m still insisting on seeing if we can continue racing together.”
History suggests that McLaren values both Alonso’s talent and experience. And while his cycle with the team in F1 seems to be coming to an end, motorsport offers more avenues to compete at the highest level. Furthermore, with McLaren’s return to the WEC, an opportunity has opened up that could fit perfectly with the Oviedo-born driver’s schedule and interests.
Alonso’s immediate future remains with Aston Martin
Meanwhile, Alonso has a contract with Aston Martin and his sights set on 2026, when the team will have a car developed by Adrian Newey. Although Brown wishes the Asturian well, he is cautious about what may happen with the new technical regulations: “With the rule change, I consider everyone a potential rival because you don’t know who will be the smartest at deciphering them, it could be anyone.”
For this season, the McLaren CEO is clear about who to keep an eye on: “Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc… And in the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes is very strong, Ferrari and Red Bull, even though they’ve had their challenges with their second driver. I think those are our rivals for both championships and there are 19 races to go, which is a lot.”
In a paddock where relationships change over time and opportunities are constantly renewed, Alonso’s return to McLaren may not be a question of “if,” but rather when and, above all, in which category.