Ron Dennis will only agree to release Fernando Alonso from his 2008 contract if the Spaniard switches to a privateer rival next year, according to reports.
Following the first meeting on Wednesday between McLaren figures and representatives for Alonso, the Spanish newspaper Diario As has put Red Bull and Williams at the top of the list to receive the 26-year-old former double world champion next year.
More talks with McLaren are expected in the coming days, but the ‘As’ report would explain why speculation of moves to carmaker backed outfits including Renault, Ferrari, Toyota and Honda has recently gone cold.
Alonso’s manager Luis Garcia Abad, who was in England this week, played down links with other teams whilst talking to the British newspaper The Guardian on Wednesday.
“If that’s what people are saying then they know more than me,” he said.
The whispers nonetheless continued unabated, with Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport spouting the latest theory that a move to Red Bull for Alonso might also entice Ross Brawn to abandon his planned return to Ferrari in favour of the energy drink-owned ranks.
