Following three days' intense negotiations, Fernando Alonso has succeeded in extricating himself from his dysfunctional relationship with the McLaren-Mercedes team just one year into a three-year contract. According to Alonso's agent, García Abad, the former world champion is now free to join any other team without either party having to pay any kind of financial penalty.

While there is talk of a possible return to the Renault team with whom he won his two world titles, it seems more likely that Alonso will join Red Bull. There seems little chance of Alonso joining Ferrari as both Felipe Massa and new world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, have recently been awarded contract extensions.

It has not yet been confirmed who will replace Alonso as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at McLaren, though Nico Rosberg (Williams) and Heikki Kovalainen (Renault) are both said to be in the frame.