McLaren's Eric Boullier says Honda return makes team more attractive than Red Bull
Amid brewing Alonso rumours, Boullier says "everybody knows he is maybe unhappy at Ferrari" and McLaren "would consider him"
Friday 3 October 2014 14:24, UK
Eric Boullier says McLaren’s 2015 partnership with Honda makes the team a more attractive proposition than Red Bull as the Woking outfit step up their pursuit of Fernando Alonso.
Seven years after the Spaniard left the team following a solitary year in their employment, McLaren are believed to be vying with Red Bull to sign the Spaniard for next season amid the widespread suspicion that Alonso’s relationship with Ferrari has irretrievably broken down.
While Red Bull have won four successive titles, and remain the only team to beat Mercedes to victory this term, McLaren haven’t won a race since 2012 and are just sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
But an upbeat Boullier, who says that Alonso’s unhappiness with Ferrari is an open secret in the paddock, is adamant that McLaren’s renewal of vows with Honda – their partners during their era of dominance two decades ago – could persuade Alonso to follow suit.
Asked by Sky Sports News HQ if he felt McLaren are a more attractive proposition heading into 2015 than Red Bull, Boullier replied: "I think we are for many reasons. In any negotiations you want to be in the dominant position and to be in the dominant position we need to be an attractive team.
"For a driver, that means having a fast car. Everyone knows that to be potentially a World Champion, you need to be a works team and we will be one of three works teams on the grid next season with our new engine partner and that will be a game changer.
“McLaren will be back and winning with our new engine partner. We will become a very attractive team today, even if we don’t have a fast car we are on the way to recovering this.”
McLaren are believed to have already held talks with Alonso and Boullier added: “Everybody knows he is maybe unhappy at Ferrari, but he is contracted to Ferrari so they have to sort out their issues. We would consider him - I’m not saying we would choose him.”
Yet having pursued Alonso for the last two years, it seems inconceivable that McLaren would turn down the their former driver if he became available with Jenson Button set to make way if Alonso returns.
Asked about Button’s prospects, Boullier replied: “He is very considered to stay with us but we are not decided yet and we have not signed anything."
The 2014 Japanese GP is live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Extensive coverage of Race Day at Suzuka begins at 5.30am on Sunday with lights out at 7am.
