McLaren ask Renault to release Alonso

McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh told reporters at the team's Woking headquarters today that he was still hoping the 25-year-old Spaniard could make his McLaren debut this year.

"Being frank about it, we'd like him in the car as quickly as we can," he said. "After this week there's one more test and we'd like Renault to recognise everything that he's done for them and release him to come and test for us next week.

"We have requested it and if they said yes, we could do it."

Alonso, who agreed last year after winning his first title to switch to the Mercedes-powered team in 2007, has already had a seat fitting for McLaren but remains under contract to Renault until the end of the year.

Whitmarsh said he hoped to talk to Renault team boss Flavio Briatore at the FIA awards ceremony in Monaco on Friday.

"The earlier we can get Fernando in the car, the better," said Whitmarsh. "If, after two bottles of champagne, Flavio agrees on Friday night, then we'll rush around to get him (Alonso) in the car next week.

"We're not counting on it (Alonso testing this year), but if the opportunity arose we'd love to do it. If they say no again, then we'll respect it, but we'll keep asking until there's no more chance."

Alonso partners British rookie Lewis Hamilton at the team in an all-new line-up following the departure of Finland's Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari as Michael Schumacher's replacement and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR.

Ferrari have no plans to test Raikkonen before the new year and Whitmarsh said there had been no request from the championship runners-up to do so.