Fernando Alonso's switch to McLaren "is set to be confirmed before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, once the team knows who his team-mate will be," according to Jonathan Noble of AUTOSPORT.
Sources close to the Woking-based outfit have revealed that Alonso "has now finalised a big-money move from Ferrari to McLaren next year, renewing a partnership that ended prematurely in 2007 after a tumultuous campaign."
His decision to accept McLaren's overtures has, however, "forced the team into making a difficult decision between Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen for the seat alongside him." It is suggested that Alonso "would prefer for Button to remain on board next year because it would help accelerate the team's push towards the front of the grid."
However, financial factors "could also play a role in the decision, with Magnussen being a much cheaper option for the team" (AUTOSPORT, 11/10). FOX SPORTS' Pete Gill reported Alonso’s contract with McLaren-Honda "will reportedly be the 'biggest in F1 history.'" According to Spanish newspaper AS, the deal "will be 'the largest in the history of Formula 1 and presented as a multi-year agreement.'"
Alonso "is believed to have sought a one-year deal that would have enabled him to join Mercedes in the event of a 2016 vacancy arising at F1’s latest behemoth outfit." Instead, the price to be paid for an estimated salary of A$46M ($40M) "will be a binding two-year contract with an option for a third season" (FOX SPORTS, 11/10).
