Questions remain: Alonso's future and the championship

Oct 24, 2007, 17:53 GMT

Berlin - Grand Prix gone crazy.

The season is over, but two of the most important questions remain: Will new world champion Kimi Raikkonen really keep his title and, is former world champion Fernando Alonso going to stay with McLaren-Mercedes?

The Anglo-German team will play a key role in answering both questions. There are turbulent weeks ahead for McLaren.

By protesting against the ranking of the season's final race due to the fuel-affair, McLaren could eventually manage to make their rookie Lewis Hamilton world champion.

It is not clear when a decision on that will be made. But the issue of Alonso's future should be resolved as soon as possible - possibly within the next two weeks.

'We feel we have a pretty clear understanding of the future, but it is nothing that we have discussed in detail,' McLaren boss Ron Dennis was quoted as saying in British media.

Alonso still has a contract till 2009 with McLaren, but there must be some doubt over whether he fulfils it or not.

As the twofold title winner and chief witness in the spying affair, who reportedly earns 20 million euros (28.4 million dollars) a year, misses no chance to publicly criticise his team, the basis for future cooperation seems to be destroyed.

After losing the world championship in the final race, the Spaniard reproached those in charge of tying his hands - and feet - in the last couple of weeks.

However, Alonso denied that Renault would be the first option if he switched teams and claimed he has not negotiated with any team. This does not make the situation more transparent, as Ferrari and BMW-Sauber have already finalized their teams for next year.

As there is no place at Ferrari, the praise heaped on Alonso by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo can be seen more as a swipe at their archrival McLaren, than offering him a drive for the new season.

Di Montezemolo had said that the Spaniard was a real champion and world class in all respects.

Whatever the case, Alonso appears to be the main factor in the driver's roundabout for next season.

This could also impact the German drivers Ralf Schumacher and Timo Glock. Michael Schumacher's 32 year old brother has not found a new team since leaving Toyota.

Toyota is said to have offered Alonso a record salary of 40 million euros, but he turned them down.

Schumacher, on the other hand, is not likely to be a candidate for a drive with a top team. Instead, he will be signed by a smaller team ­ if at all. Despite all assertions, Schumacher's Formula 1 future seems to be completely in limbo.

Timo Glock is the second German trying to find a new team. Currently, the GP2 champion has good prospects for a permanent place in Formula 1.

It is speculated that he will replace Schumacher at Toyota. Or he might join Williams as Nico Rosberg's new colleague. However, Rosberg is considered as Alonso's successor, if the Spaniard really is to leave McLaren.