Two - time world champion Alonso rejoins McLaren , the stable he left in 2007 . Alonso will be partnered by Jenson Button , retained above rookie Lewis Hamilton . `` I admired Ayrton Senna enormously , but , for me , it was the exploits of Alain Prost that inspired me most as a boy . ' McLaren chairman Ron Dennis labels the duo ' the best F1 lineup ' of any F1 team . Hamilton will stay on as reserve and test driver .
Two - time world champion Alonso rejoins McLaren , the stable he left in 2007 . Alonso will be partnered by Jenson Button , retained above rookie Lewis Hamilton . McLaren chairman Ron Dennis labels the duo ' the best F1 lineup ' of any F1 team . Hamilton will stay on as reserve and test driver .