At his farewell GP, his McLaren was also showing clear signs of improvement.

If the Spaniard wants to return to F1 one day, it is a good idea he keeps in touch with the competition and trying out McLaren’s new car is an excellent way to do so. At the same time, the British team can take advantage of Alonso’s experience and advice to its new 2019 lineup. 

Carlos Sainz, who has just arrived in the team from Renault, has only tried the McLaren at the post-season tests of the Yas Marina Circuit.

Similarly, is future teammate Lando Norris has only had limited experience with the car at some of the  Friday’s Free Practice sessions of 2018. Fernando Alonso’s opinion could, therefore, be extremely valuable. 

Sainz and Norris agree with the idea

Both Sainz and Norris were happy for ‘El Nano’ to try out the new McLaren 2019 season and were looking forward to having him on board.

“I think [his input] will be very valuable. He’s got the best idea how the car’s changed over the years, the best experience of what’s good and what’s bad, a lot more than I do. I don’t know what’s going to happen if he’s still going to be part of much. He’s still part of McLaren. It’s up to him.”  – The British driver said.

“It would be cool. Of course, I would like to have as many days [in the car] as possible but if everyone comes to a decision and thinks it’s for the good of the whole team and his feedback will be just as important as mine or Carlos’s, then I think it’s a good thing.” –  Concluded Norris.

Carlos Sainz was in agreement with his new teammate regarding Alonso’s worthwhile feedback for the team.

“It’s something that for sure is in McLaren’s interests, or also Fernando’s interests to keep himself active. It’s a decision more up to the management than to ourselves, but I wouldn’t see it with bad eyes. I would see it as a good thing to have a driver like Fernando comparing cars.” 

Let’s just hope that the Woking engineers have developed a car that can lift the team up from the darkness they have been immersed in for the last five years. In 2018 they finished sixth at the Constructors’ Championship and that was only thanks to Force India’s change of name penalty and Alonso’s exceptional talent. 

Last year’s car performance was, as CEO of McLaren, Zak Brown, himself described “very poor”. The change from Honda to Renault mechanics brought some sort of improvement but the structural deficiencies of the car’s architecture were still too significant.

The present and short-term future of the third most successful team in the History of Formula 1 is now in the hands of one Spaniard…or perhaps two. Good luck to them!

Images; McLaren F1