McLaren to convince Fernando Alonso to stay by ditching Honda engines for Renault ones in huge team shake-up
Formula One giants ready to end three-year relationship in order to convince star driver to remain for many more years
McLAREN are nearing a deal to ditch engine supplier Honda and switch to Renault next season - a move which they hope will persuade Fernando Alonso to stay.
No official decision has yet been made but it is expected that the Woking-based team will sever their ties with the Japanese company after a turbulent three years.
The switch to Renault power has been made complicated by the fact the French company can only supply three teams, meaning Red Bull's B-team, Toro Rosso must take Honda instead.
McLaren will LOSE around £100million from Honda, plus they must now PAY Renault to use their engines.
The intricate divorce package is made even more complicated as McLaren are understood to be seeking a severance package from Honda as a result of the damage to their image.
McLaren had hoped to broker a new deal with Honda with fresh assurances from the Japanese car giant but talks have broken down.
Star driver Alonso, who is paid £25million a year, has made no secret of the fact he wishes to stay at McLaren, providing they get a new engine.
McLaren boss Zak Brown said in Monza that he believed the team would have achieved a podium finish this season if they had a Renault engine.
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However, they too have been far from reliable this season, with notable breakdowns for Max Verstappen at Red Bull and Brit Jolyon Palmer.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton will get behind the wheel on Thursday as part of a tyre test for Pirelli.
The Mercedes ace is usually reluctant to take part in the sessions but confirmed in Monza that he would be running last season's car at Paul Ricard.
He said: "I will be doing the test this week, which is very rare for me because l am not a tester.
"I am looking forward to it, l offered to do it."