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Vote: Autosport Best of the Month for June 2026

General
Vote: Autosport Best of the Month for June 2026

Why similar Williams and Aston Martin failures are oddly reassuring

Feature
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Why similar Williams and Aston Martin failures are oddly reassuring

McLaren still to investigate why it's losing to Mercedes on the straights, despite same PU

Formula 1
Austrian GP
McLaren still to investigate why it's losing to Mercedes on the straights, despite same PU

Explained: The factors behind WRC’s big 2027 transition and the hurdles it still faces

Feature
WRC
Rally Greece
Explained: The factors behind WRC’s big 2027 transition and the hurdles it still faces

Marquez admits he "didn't want to walk into the paddock" because he "associated it with pain"

MotoGP
Dutch GP
Marquez admits he "didn't want to walk into the paddock" because he "associated it with pain"

Top five roles on Motorsport Jobs this week

General
Top five roles on Motorsport Jobs this week

Autosport Retro video: Remembering the 1987 British GP

Formula 1
British GP
Autosport Retro video: Remembering the 1987 British GP

Williams plans “almost entirely new car” by Azerbaijan GP

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Williams plans “almost entirely new car” by Azerbaijan GP

Double F1 champion Alonso no longer has ambassador role at McLaren

Fernando Alonso and McLaren have ended their formal relationship, and the Spaniard is no longer an ambassador for the Formula 1 team

The two-time world champion maintained ties with McLaren last year after his most recent spell racing with it from 2015-18.

In his ambassadorial role, Alonso kept close links with McLaren - helping to advise the team's drivers and engineers, as well as conducting a Pirelli tyre test in the 2019 car.

He was also a part of McLaren's efforts at last year's Indianapolis 500, but that attempt ended in disappointment when he failed to qualify.

Alonso's ambassador deal ran until the end of last year, and McLaren has now confirmed it has not been renewed for 2020.

A McLaren spokesperson told Autosport: "Fernando is a world-class competitor and we wish him well for the future.

"While our relationship has come to a natural conclusion, he will always remain part of the McLaren family."

The team was clear from the middle of last year that it felt its future was well served by current drivers Carlos Sainz Jr and Lando Norris, who were both retained for 2020.

Alonso most recently took part in the Dakar Rally, and his next competitive focus will be on the Indy 500.

The most likely option for him there is Andretti Autosport.

He has been clear, however, that after that he may look at what opportunities he has to return to F1 in 2021.

"I think the reasons why I left Formula 1 are still present now, with the domination from one team and the races a little bit too predictable, but in 2021 these things can be changed and maybe it's a good opportunity there," he said during a race weekend appearance last year.

Alonso drove a total of 95 grands prix for McLaren, first in 2007 and then from 2015-2018, winning four races in total.

He also contested the 2017 Indy 500 in a Honda-powered car with Andretti.

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