> Alonso staying at McLaren in 2008

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Fernando Alonso seems certain to be a McLaren driver next season after pledging his future to the Woking team.

Alonso grudgingly accepts "there are not many options" should he choose to quit McLaren at the end of the year as his future has been the subject of recent great debate.

Following the furore that unfolded during the Hungarian Grand Prix and his fall-out with team-mate Lewis Hamilton, Alonso said he did not know whether he would see out his contract.

Three weeks on, the reigning double World Champion stated: "I have my contract with McLaren.

"Possibilities for the near future are around here, driving for McLaren. As far as I know that's my only possibility."

Team boss Ron Dennis certainly intends for Alonso to see out his current deal that has another two years to run after this season.

"He is a contracted driver, and that's the way things stand at the moment, as with Lewis (Hamilton), as with Pedro (de la Rosa) and Gary Paffett," said Dennis.

"The fact is we've got contracts, and there's been no dialogue to vary any aspect of that."

Yet when Alonso was pointedly asked whether he was happy driving for the team, while his reply was positive, not a smile creased his lips as he answered.

"As long as I have a winning car I'm happy," stated Alonso.

"This year we have a winning car. We are first and second in the drivers' championship and leading the constructors' championship, so I'm happy."

Yet in the Spanish media earlier this weekend, Alonso has again complained about his treatment from McLaren, claiming he has made the car considerably quicker, yet seemingly with no recognition.

"My belief is that last year McLaren were nowhere," the 26-year-old is quoted as saying.

"I remember how the car was going when I tested it in December and how it went in Australia.

"Those sixth tenths of a second that I have brought when I got in the car for the first time haven't been reflected at any time when we two drivers have been competing against each other.

"That is basically the quarrel I have had for the whole season, but who doesn't have problems with their boss?"

Dennis, though, refuted Alonso's claims as he responded: "It is impossible to identify who has contributed what to how fast our racing car goes.

"Don't hang so much on a piece of information presented accurately by Fernando, but out of context of the bigger picture."

At least McLaren did recognise Alonso for one achievement as they presented him with a scale model of a Mercedes-Benz 'Silver Arrow' driven by Stirling Moss in the 1950s to commemorate the Spaniard's 100th grands prix this weekend.

As Dennis handed the gift to Alonso, he joked: "It's something heavy for you to throw at us!"

Guess Alonso has finally got his mind straight, and knows he's gotta make do with what he's got at Mclaren, because right now its the best place he could possibly be in.

Source: Alonso staying at McLaren in 2008 - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com