> Mercedes ready to axe Alonso

Media speculation suggests that McLaren and its partners have decided to part company with Fernando Alonso.

The Spanish daily Marca reports Meredes-Benz's management held a meeting this week and gave the double World Champion a vote of no confidence.

'[Mercedes] reached the conclusion it is in the best interests of the company and the team to let go of the Spaniard at the end of the year,' the Marca's report reads.

'This situation means that all roads for Alonso lead to Renault,' it continued.

Alonso's relations with the Woking constructor have soured through the season. And the newspaper claims sources close to McLaren say Ron Dennis' relationship with Lewis Hamilton is, as most F1 fans are aware, the root of the problem.

It also suggested that Renault had 'promised him a place with the possibility of winning the title and is currently taking steps to find the funds necessary to sign him on a contract equivalent' to his current deal.

The French marque appears to be Alonso's most likely destination as rivals Ferrari have Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa contracted until 2009 and 2010 respectively. '

Source: planetf1