Alonso rumors keep shifting into higher gear (Update)
It is well known that the Japanese manufacturer, returning to F1 with McLaren next year, has made an audacious bid to lure the highly rated and increasingly frustrated Spaniard from Ferrari.
In the past few days, the extent of the disintegrating relations between Alonso and Ferrari have become clear, making it seem more and more likely that he will leave the fabled but crisis-struck Maranello camp.
It has stirred real fears that McLaren could dump its protege Kevin Magnussen after just a single season, with many regarding Alonso alongside fellow champion Jenson Button as an ideal pairing to steer the early direction of the works Honda project.
When asked about the Alonso-Honda rumors, former McLaren champion Mika Hakkinen said: "You do have to wonder why they have not entered into any driver contracts for next season.
"This is obviously because McLaren is trying to put together the best possible package," he said in his latest interview with sponsor Hermes.
"Drivers who have won a championship will always find teams that want to take them.
"It's obvious that when you can get the highest expertise available, you should," added Hakkinen.
But according to Italy's Corriere dello Sport, the spanner in the works of Alonso's sensational switch to McLaren could be some alarming rumors emerging from Japan.
The report claims Honda is about three months behind schedule in the development of its first turbo V6 'power unit', having encountered problems even greater than those struck by Renault as the troubled French marque prepared for 2014.
The specialist Autosprint said Honda's development V6 currently consumes too much fuel and produces too little power.
"To try to recover," the report explained, "Honda is investing massively and mobilizing people and businesses around Japan."
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| Will Alonso hook back up with Ron Dennis |
09/29/14 (GMM) In terms of speculation about his future, the last days have been arguably the most intense in Fernando Alonso's entire career.
Throughout the world of respected, influential and authoritative F1 media sources, there have been countless rumors but one obvious conclusion: the Spaniard's future at Ferrari is in serious doubt.
Italy's Corriere dello Sport reports that Alonso looks set to move to Honda-powered McLaren next year with a pay-rise, following a rumored announcement this week at the Japanese marque's very own Suzuka circuit.
Some, however, cannot believe the 33-year-old will actually reunite with Ron Dennis, where at Woking in 2007 the pair clashed spectacularly.
But even Alonso's career-long mentor Flavio Briatore has now told Germany's Auto Bild: "At McLaren it was not a perfect combination.
"But you never know — people can change."
Indeed, it appears McLaren's attitude may already have changed.
In the past few days, McLaren has added a driver to the 'heritage' section of its official website that has never been featured or even mentioned before — Alonso.
It reads: "When the history books are written, Alonso's name will be writ large as one of the sport's all-time greats."
A McLaren spokesman explained: "We used not to include profiles of ex-McLaren drivers who are still driving in formula one albeit for other teams, but, following requests from our fans that we alter that policy, we duly did so."
It has also been rumored that Alonso and his management have made enquiries at reigning world champions Red Bull and F1's dominant team Mercedes, but these options have been ruled out for now.
Another wild rumor doing the rounds at present is that Alonso could team up with the Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll and buy into Lotus — the Enstone based team with which he won his two titles as Renault in 2005 and 2006.
The rumor has been repeated even by the respected veteran Swiss journalist Roger Benoit, who writes for Blick newspaper.
Others, however, believe Alonso will stay at Ferrari, at least for one more season.
Cadena Ser, Spain's premier radio network, claims Alonso went out with his mechanics in Singapore recently and "reassured them not to listen to all the unfounded rumors".
On the other hand, even Ferrari no longer denies that all the smoke of the past days is being produced by some real fire behind closed doors at Maranello.
Italy's Omnicorse reports that the relationship between Alonso and new team boss Marco Mattiacci turned spectacularly sour in Singapore.
And incoming president Sergio Marchionne is not intervening for now, despite acknowledging there is a problem.
"At the problem I am not caring for it," he is quoted as saying.
"This issue is being dealt with by Mattiacci, and we will discuss it after October 13," said Marchionne, referring to the date on which he will take command.
He also seemed to confirm that Ferrari is having to deal with an issue of driver selection.
"I confirm this," said Marchionne, "but the decision also depends on the drivers and what they want."