Fernando Alonso has agreed a “long-term” deal with McLaren to end any speculation over his future.
The two-time world champion was due to fall out of contract at the end of the current season but ahead of this weekend’s USA GP it has been confirmed he has signed on for next season and beyond.
The length of the deal has not been disclosed and it has been suggested there could be an opt out clause after the 2018 campaign if McLaren cannot provide him with a competitive car.
However, the team has ended its engine partnership with Honda to link up with Renault for 2018 and Alonso expects performances to improve – and he feels he will be with his current team for the foreseeable future.
“We don’t talk about contract clauses but it’s more of a long-term partnership,” Alonso told Sky Sports News.
“I would be extremely happy to finish my career in McLaren.
“I don’t think it’s going to be one year.” He added: “I took my time to really study everything that I could and we see in the last races that Red Bull [who use Renault engines] were on the podium with both cars in Malaysia and Suzuka.
“We know what the Renault engine can do and that gives us extra confidence.”
Alonso is 51.00 to finish in the top three in the USA GP on Sunday, while Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo are 2.05 and 2.25 to do the same respectively.
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