Camper
18-12-06, 07:23 PM
December 15th, 2006
Former Renault driver Fernando Alonso made his McLaren debut this morning in a shock test at Jerez.
Alonso was contracted to Renault until the end of the year, with boss Flavio Briatore reluctant to release the 26-year old Spaniard from his contract before 2007.
However, something has happened behind the scenes to allow Alonso to climb in a McLaren this morning.
Was Renault given a financial 'incentive' by McLaren to release young Fernando? Did Briatore discover some Christmas spirit and bow to the Spaniard's desire to test for McLaren?
We'll never know, but the test for McLaren - the last day of testing in 2006 - won't be hugely significant for Alonso.
He'll be driving this year's MP4-21 rather than next year's new car, and he'll be spending the majority of the day figuring out the nuances of Bridgestone rubber, having run Michelins for the past few years.
Alonso's first McLaren is unbranded and the Spaniard's helmet is a simple white. And it looks darn cool too.
Former Renault driver Fernando Alonso made his McLaren debut this morning in a shock test at Jerez.
Alonso was contracted to Renault until the end of the year, with boss Flavio Briatore reluctant to release the 26-year old Spaniard from his contract before 2007.
However, something has happened behind the scenes to allow Alonso to climb in a McLaren this morning.
Was Renault given a financial 'incentive' by McLaren to release young Fernando? Did Briatore discover some Christmas spirit and bow to the Spaniard's desire to test for McLaren?
We'll never know, but the test for McLaren - the last day of testing in 2006 - won't be hugely significant for Alonso.
He'll be driving this year's MP4-21 rather than next year's new car, and he'll be spending the majority of the day figuring out the nuances of Bridgestone rubber, having run Michelins for the past few years.
Alonso's first McLaren is unbranded and the Spaniard's helmet is a simple white. And it looks darn cool too.