UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Alonso 'brave' to join McLaren

According to Nigel Mansell

(GMM) 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell has added another dissenting voice to the controversy surrounding Fernando Alonso's '07 switch from Renault to McLaren.

After Niki Lauda and Bernie Ecclestone chimed in with their qualms, the 53-year-old ex driver - who raced his last grand prix in a McLaren and soared to the title in a Renault-powered Williams - reckons the deal is bad news in the short term for Renault, McLaren, Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen.

He thinks 24-year-old Spaniard Alonso did the deed for 'financial' ends.

But Mansell warned: ''To do a deal a whole year in advance could be very counter-productive, especially when he is defending ... a world championship.

''It is also a brave (decision) ... because I'm a big Adrian Newey fan and obviously he has just left McLaren,'' Nigel told nobok.com.

And the move will destabilise not only McLaren's main rival, Renault, but also the silver clad team itself, Mansell reckons.

Referring to McLaren, the '92 title winner wondered: ''Is whoever will make way for Alonso going to be happy?

''I can tell you, no.''

Perhaps the only short term winner in the deal is Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault's keen incumbent and no doubt desperate to keep up with Alonso next year.

If 'Fisi' and the reigning champion are neck and neck next season, 'don't be surprised if (Fisichella) gets the better engine and the better support,' Nigel thinks.

''That's just common sense.''

Written: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 12:52:48