New era for Alonso, McLaren

[davewilson]

Valencia (Spain), Jan. 16: The Fernando Alonso era at McLaren is here. The Formula One champion, who moved from Renault, is confident that the British-based team will help him win a third straight drivers’ title.

"I don’t know how the Ferrari is, how the Renault is, but I have full confidence in ourselves," Alonso said on Monday.

"All the information I have about the wind tunnel and the engine side is so promising and so optimistic that if that info on paper is real on the track we will have a very good car. I think we will be strong," he said

Alonso and teammate Leiws Hamilton will test drive the MP4-21 cars at the Valencia circuit for the first time on Wednesday, ahead of the extended pre season testing program which begins on January 24.

"Sometimes after a tough season, when winter comes, you want to test as late as possible and be on holiday as much as you can and you don’t want to be in the car so early but now is the opposite. I want to be in the car straight away, so I have the feelings like six years ago when I arrived in Formula One," Alonso said.

Alonso signed with McLaren in December 2005 after winning the title with Renault, the first Spanish champion and youngest champion in F1 history. He drove one more season with Renault, winning another title. Alonso replaces Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen at McLaren. The Finnish driver took over for the retired Michael Schumacher at Ferrari.

"I feel more ambitious now, a completely new man. I want to be in the car straight away, so I have the feelings like six years ago when I arrived in Formula One.," he said.

McLaren haven’t won the drivers’ crown since Mika Hakkinen did it in 1999; the team’s last constructors’ title was in 1998. (AP)

Very sad,when we have to go to Spain, to learn of things going on over here?
I think our fans deserve more!Second hand information is no good for the discerning British Fan Anymore!
Come On Teams,please look after the fans ,a bit more!With information:Just the basics would do!
Keep this fantastic Fan Base in the UK Fed!
Get A Grip:Once and for all

The Stig