Alonso looking for new team

Motor Sport NewsFernando Alonso has closed the book on a controversial chapter of his Formula One career by announcing his departure from McLaren.

The two-time world champion, who joined the team from Renault only a year ago, finished behind rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton and third overall in the drivers' standings in 2007.

Alonso's agent Luis Garcia-Abad claimed the divorce from McLaren had been smooth but did not shed any new light on the Spaniard's future.

"All ended well," he said.

It may have ended well, but the season had numerous ups and downs for the Spaniard. He had won back-to-back titles at Renault and arrived at McLaren fully expecting to capture a third.

But Hamilton shocked everyone by winning a series of races to overtake Alonso as the McLaren number one. The pair also had a number of run-ins.

In his statement, Alonso spoke of the realisation of a dream: "Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis also admitted the parties had failed to resolve their differences.

"He is a great driver but for some reason the combination of McLaren Mercedes and Fernando has not really worked out, and in the end we reached a stage where none of us could find a way to move forward."