Alonso could take sabbatical in 2016 (3rd Update)
Dennis, the McLaren supremo, lit the fuse on Saturday at Abu Dhabi, but 24 hours later was hitting reverse gear.
"I was talking to a reporter and all I said is that I was open and everything can be discussed," the Woking team's group chairman is quoted by the Spanish newspaper Marca.
"I also immediately clarified that Fernando and Jenson (Button) will be in the car in 2016, which many (media) colleagues forgot to add," Dennis said.
Curiously, Alonso had not categorically ruled out the 'sabbatical' idea shortly after Dennis made the comments, but he was also playing that down on Sunday.
"I will be racing (in 2016) — 100 per cent," he said. "I think if I had to choose a sabbatical year, I would choose this one (2015)."
Clearly, however, Abu Dhabi was yet another frustrating race for the former double world champion, particularly when he was being lapped by his Ferrari successor, Sebastian Vettel.
"He must really hate me. I don't know what his problem is," Vettel fumed on the radio.
Another in-race radio transmission, meanwhile, captured Alonso in the process of wanting to "retire the car", even though it was undamaged.
He was also penalized by the stewards for an early crash involving Pastor Maldonado.
"I don't know if Pastor didn't buy him the right drinks at the last party or something," Vettel joked.
Alonso then drew the curtain on his abysmal 2015 season by hitting out at the FIA for lacking "sense" in applying the penalty, and falling behind other racing categories.
"I think they should look at other categories like WEC (Le Mans) or MotoGP, how successful they are. F1 asks about the sound of the cars, why they have less and less spectators, but these things they need to have a bit more sense."
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| If 2016 McLaren-Honda is another dog, look for Alonso to sit out a year and pull weeds in his garden |
11/29/15
This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today because now Fernando Alonso is not ruling out taking a sabbatical in 2016, if McLaren-Honda cannot become much more competitive over the winter.
Saturday's news about the possibility of a sabbatical broke spectacularly in Abu Dhabi, following comments by McLaren supremo Ron Dennis.
Indeed, a sabbatical may be an ideal solution for the struggling Woking team, relieving the pressure of having the mercurial Spaniard on board during its competitive low, and saving the team millions.
Alonso could then return in 2017 and 2018 with a more competitive car.
Mark Webber, known for being close to Alonso, is in Abu Dhabi this weekend and he said the 34-year-old may also not be opposed to the idea.
"He is a time bomb," the Australian told BBC television. "If things are not going his way he will create pressure on all parts of the team. He hates losing.
"Give him two or three days in testing and if the car is uncompetitive I think he'll have a year off," Webber said.
When asked about Dennis' comments after qualifying, Alonso was initially reluctant, insisting he has not spoken to Ron about the issue for months.
But when asked to rule out a sabbatical categorically, he said: "I can never say anything 100 per cent. I cannot say that tomorrow I will not have dinner as I don't know if I will be hungry!
"We will see how it goes next year but it's not in my plans not to race.
"Definitely it is my intention and my aim to race next year and to win or at least to be competitive," Alonso added.
11/28/15
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| Alonso dismisses sabbatical talk |
(GMM) Fernando Alonso on Saturday played down boss Ron Dennis' claim that he could take a sabbatical in 2016.
Amid the apparent reality that McLaren-Honda's climb to competitiveness will take more time, Dennis told reporters in Abu Dhabi that he is "open" to the idea of the Spaniard taking a year off and then returning in 2017 and 2018.
"We have a great number of driver options," said Dennis, perhaps referring to the new GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne, who would also save struggling McLaren a lot of money.
"When we have to take the decision, we will take it together and at this moment in time our drivers of next year are Fernando and Jenson Button," he added.
When asked by the British broadcaster Sky if he is really contemplating a year out in 2016, Alonso said on Saturday: "No. Not really."
And he then told Spanish reporters: "I have not talked to him (Dennis) so I don't think that's true."
When asked if Dennis is trying to put pressure on him in some way, Alonso added: "It is always the same story — I am asked about something Ron or another driver says and somehow I have to guess what they mean.
"When he speaks to you, you have a golden opportunity to ask him what he means. For sure if he is going to pressure someone I think it would be Honda to do a good job," he said.
11/28/15 (GMM) An intriguing 2015 finale in Abu Dhabi continued on Saturday, amid suggestions Fernando Alonso is set to take a sabbatical next year.
The rumor swirling around the Yas Marina paddock is that while McLaren-Honda is confident of an improvement in 2016, it may not be enough to keep the Spaniard – arguably the best driver in the sport today – sufficiently interested.
"It's a shame," Bernie Ecclestone told Spain's Marca, "that we have two of the best drivers – world champions – with no chance.
"I don't know how they're going to put it right, but for sure it will not be easy for them (McLaren) to be competitive in the short term," the F1 supremo added in Abu Dhabi.
"The other top teams are very strong — they (McLaren) may have to wait a little longer," Ecclestone said.
Alonso was quoted as admitting that he is not getting the answers he is asking for when enquiring about McLaren's plans for its 2016 car.
"I've asked the same question today and the engineers have not told me," he said.
"I'm told it will be a longer process (to know), maybe weeks," Alonso added.
McLaren supremo Ron Dennis – having missed the past couple of races – is in Abu Dhabi this weekend and he told reporters that a sabbatical for Alonso is possible.
"He will definitely finish his career in McLaren," he said.
"I have an open mind to anything. Some of the ideas have involved those sorts of considerations — sabbatical years," Dennis said.