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Fernando Alonso’s shocking $1000 gesture almost got McLaren mechanics fired during fierce F1 rivalry

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
January 10, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Fernando Alonso’s shocking $1000 gesture almost got McLaren mechanics fired during fierce F1 rivalry

Title: The Shocking Moment Fernando Alonso’s Generosity Nearly Cost His McLaren Mechanics Their Jobs!

In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where rivalries brew and egos soar, a seemingly innocent act of generosity by two-time champion Fernando Alonso almost turned into a catastrophe that could have sent shockwaves through the McLaren team. The year was 2007, and tensions were already boiling over between Alonso and his rookie teammate, Lewis Hamilton, setting the stage for a season rife with drama and conflict.

Alonso, who had signed with McLaren as the reigning champion, arrived expecting to dominate alongside Hamilton, but what unfolded was anything but predictable. The young Briton quickly proved to be a formidable adversary, matching Alonso’s pace and even outshining him at various points in the season. As both drivers vied for supremacy, their fierce competition ultimately resulted in them both losing the championship to Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari by a mere single point. Following a tumultuous year, Alonso made the decision to leave McLaren and return to Renault in 2008.

However, a lesser-known incident from that chaotic season highlights the rift between Alonso and the McLaren hierarchy. Former McLaren engineer Mark Slade recounted a jaw-dropping moment on Peter Windsor’s YouTube channel, revealing how an act of kindness could have led to mass firings in the garage.

At the Nurburgring in 2007, Alonso approached Slade with a simple request: “Can you give me a list of all the people who work on my car?” Oblivious to his intentions, Slade complied and later discovered that Alonso wanted to meet with his mechanics to express his gratitude. Known for sharing his winnings with his team at Renault, Alonso had decided to do the same at McLaren.

As Slade recalled, Alonso appeared at the back of the garage with a handful of envelopes, saying, “At Renault, I used to like to share in my winnings with my guys on my car… I’d just like to show my appreciation for you being on my car and doing such a great job.” Each envelope contained a staggering 1,000 euros! Slade was left “gobsmacked” by the gesture, noting how humble Alonso was in his delivery.

However, the goodwill quickly soured. McLaren Sporting Director Dave Ryan caught wind of Alonso’s generosity and stormed into the motorhome with a furious expression. “What the hell just happened in the garage?” he demanded, leading to a tense confrontation. Ryan’s reaction was swift and severe: he threatened to fire every mechanic if they didn’t return the money to Alonso. “You’ve got to give the money to me. You’ve got to give the money to the team. It’s completely outrageous; we can’t have that in this team,” he said, making it clear that such a breach of protocol was unacceptable.

The ultimatum left Slade and the mechanics scrambling, and it became evident that Alonso’s good intentions could have catastrophic results. In the end, the envelopes were returned, and Alonso was left with a stern warning never to repeat the act again.

This shocking incident paints a vivid picture of the cutthroat environment in F1, where a simple act of kindness can be misconstrued as a threat to team dynamics. Alonso’s tumultuous year at McLaren would ultimately be remembered for its fierce rivalry and the dramatic consequences of the competitive spirit among drivers.

As Alonso continues to make headlines in the sport, this behind-the-scenes episode serves as a stark reminder of the relentless pressure faced by those in the fast-paced world of motorsport. It raises the question: what lengths are drivers willing to go to maintain their standing, and how far can generosity go before it backfires?

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipaf-corse-ferrariFernando Alonsokimi-raikkonensLewis Hamilton
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