A new challenge ahead in 2007 for Alonso
At the launch of his new title challenger in Monaco, world champion Fernando Alonso spent the afternoon justifying his 2007 switch to McLaren to the assembled press corps.
"I am still young," the 24-year-old Spaniard said at the Grimaldi Forum. "I feel I need a new challenge."

As ever in Formula One, however, there is always more to it. One reporter managed to squeeze a definitive answer of `yes` to the question about whether Renault could have fought harder to retain him.

Many observers say Renault simply wasn`t prepared, unlike McLaren, to treble his salary. Others reckon it is an indication that the team is not fully committed to the grid.

"Probably (Renault could have done more to keep me) but that`s between me and the team," Alonso insisted. "It was not the money, it was more (about the) future."

Alonso even managed to slip out the news that his new McLaren deal is for a guaranteed three year period. "Maybe at the end of 2009," he stated, "I will need another new challenge."

Team President Patrick Faure, however, denied Alonso`s claim that Renault weren`t too bothered about letting their champion defect. The Frenchman said Alonso made `no approach` to team management and that `no (2007) talks` took place.

"If he was worried about the future he should have asked me. I would have told him we will be there in 2008."

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