It’s been a very barren day for news, but an interesting rumour passed my desk this afternoon from Spain.

It appears that whispers coming from Woking indicate a possible pre-season test of the new McLaren Renault MCL34 might be on the cards for Fernando Alonso to try out as part of the McLaren testing program.

With the persistent rumour that the new McLaren will very much resemble the Red Bull of 2018, in an attempt to replicate the GP winning Renault power car combination, the radical redesign will need a proven experienced driver to validate the concept.

Zak Brown seems to have earmarked his favoured Spaniard for the task with a half day running of the now confirmed Papaya colour MCL34.

If true, it is not known if it will happen the first week of the winter test at Barcelona February 18th – 21st, or the second 21st – 24th.

There is also the option of the 50 km filming day that will take place between the first week and the second.

Meanwhile McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown says the team is “anticipating a good car” for the 2019 Formula 1 season, claiming that both young drivers should be great for providing ‘great feedback’, a statement at odds to having Alonso test the car first.

“We’re anticipating a good car,”

“The off season development has gone according to plan but you ultimately don’t know what the competition has been up to and the competition is tough and is getting tougher. 

“We need good feedback from them [Sainz & Norris] – this will be a much different car to 2018. Their feedback is excellent.

“We want them to race the field hard. Naturally teammates race each other hard but they do get on and are good guys and for us to move forward as a team we need them both bringing back the cars and the points. They know that. That’s the team goal.”