McLaren tell F1 driver Alonso 'you can leave'

LONDON (AFP) - Fernando Alonso, who is at daggers drawn with his McLaren co-driver Lewis Hamilton, has been told by boss Ron Dennis that he can leave McLaren at the end of the season, a report claimed Tuesday.

The double world champion's future is up in the air as his relationship with Hamilton broke down at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend when he was penalised for his part in trying to prevent the Briton from starting in pole.

The Times quoted what the paper described as a 'well-placed' source as confirming Alonso may quit the team two years ahead of schedule.

"My understanding is that he's been told he can go because they're so fed up with him. Ron is just very pissed off with both of them (Alonso and Hamilton)," the unnamed source said.

These comments follow Alonso's confirmation that his future at the British team was uncertain.

The unsettled Spaniard, asked by sports daily Marca if he was planning to stay with McLaren, replied: "I don't know."

Two likely destinations for Alonso if he were to sever his ties with McLaren are Renault, with whom he won his two world titles, and BMW, who are yet to contract German Nick Heidfeld for 2008.

The F1 rumour mill began to work overtime following a controversial weekend's racing in Hungary with Hamilton emerging the winner after replacing Alonso on pole position following a steward's enquiry.

Alonso, who trails Hamilton by seven points in the race for the 2007 drivers' crown, was penalised five grid positions for blocking Hamilton and preventing him completing a final qualifying lap.

McLaren said the delay at the pit-stops in qualifying was Hamilton's fault, for causing confusion in the team by disobeying an order to let Alonso pass him ahead of the pit stops.

But the FIA, Formula One's governing body, did not agree, and imposed a penalty on Alonso, as well as docking McLaren the 15 constructors' points they earned from the race.