Xtreme Racing News

It's what McLaren fans have been waiting for, and it's over, McLaren F1 and Honda have officially split up just 3 years into a decade agreement that was made to change and dominate Formula One. The one most affected is Fernando Alonso, who has had various failures in both F1 and IndyCar when his engine failed at the Indy 500 in May while with Andretti-McLaren Autosport. The change comes at a decent time as the first Renault engine will go in this weekend at Singapore for both Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, Singapore is not designed to be a powerised track, more along the lines of just keeping the car together and straight. McLaren has no other option to go to Renault after they failed to reach an agreement when talks appeared to be done with Mercedes, while Ferrari declined to speak with the team after failed agreements with Mercedes. They are expected to use Renault power for 3 years and re-consider Mercedes. The move will likely mean Alonso will stay with the team after showing frustration with Honda for their "lack of power" and liability. Alonso has said he is considering options for F1, a part-time IndyCar ride and possibly other series around Europe.

Also announced today, Red Bull has announced they are leaving Renault after 2018 for their Senior team, it is unknown if Toro Rosso will follow. The team already has Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen locked up for 2018 but Ricciardo reportedly wants out if the team cannot match Mercedes and Ferrari next season. Verstappen is likely to stay with the team no matter what despite multiple DNF's this season with engine problems and collisions.

Speaking of Toro Rosso, there will be a driver change in 2 weeks. Renault F1 is expected to fire Jolyon Palmer after poor performances for 2 years and the team will bring in Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz months earlier than expected. Palmer is to blame for most of his incidents, including a practice fire and multiple other practice crashes. Sainz himself has had run-ins with his teammate and other drivers and is not well liked for a poorly time turn which took him and Lance Stroll out. Palmer was supposed to be fired after the season ironically for Sainz, who is going to Renault on loan next season to be alongside German Nico Hulkenberg. This change is expected to happen in Malaysia and if true, Pierre Gasly will get a call-up to Red Bull and will join the junior team in Toro Rosso.