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Fernando Alonso has appeared to rubbish reports that he and McLaren have parted ways with a light-hearted jab on social media.
UK publication Motor Sport Magazine published a story on Friday local time suggesting that the Spaniard’s relationship with McLaren had ended.
The article, headlined ‘Fernando Alonso ends driver partnership with McLaren after Indy 500 debacle’ picked up traction with numerous media outlets around the world fuelling the story.
Alonso laughed off the reports with a tweet: “What a day!!! And is not April fools or anything!!! [sic],” and included multiple laughing emoticons in the post.
He also included the hashtags #inventing #clicks.
Amidst pressure to clarify the situation, a McLaren spokesperson made the following statement according to Motorsport.com: “It is not (true) and nothing whatsoever has changed in the status of the relationship.
“McLaren and Fernando have a continuing and contractual relationship and Fernando remains a McLaren Ambassador.”
Further to this, The Associated Press’ Jenna Fryer tweeted out that she had reportedly spoken with McLaren’s Zak Brown, quoting him as calling the reports “fake news” and saying “we definitely still have a strong and contractual relationship with Fernando.”
Following his disastrous non-qualification for the Indy 500 in May, Alonso has not attempted to enter any event with McLaren but remains an ambassador to the organisation.
The two-time Formula 1 world champion is still in search of an elusive Indy 500 victory which would see him become only the second driver to capture the unofficial triple crown of motorsport, having already won the Monaco Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Vaya día!!! Y no es 28 de diciembre ni nada !
What a day!!! And is not April fools or anything!!! #inventing #clicks ♂️
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) July 5, 2019
Zak Brown tells me reports that McLaren and Fernando Alonso have split is: “Fake news. We definitely still have a strong and contractual relationship with Fernando.”
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) July 5, 2019
