Fernando Alonso
IN PHOTO: McLaren Formula One racing driver Fernando Alonso of Spain leaves his garage during pre-season testing at the Jerez racetrack in southern Spain February 3, 2015. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Fernando Alonso is all ramped up as he continues to prepare for the first race in Melbourne. Following his decision to transfer from Ferrari to McLaren-Honda, Alonso said that the new partnership has given him “new motivation” to do the best in his craft, which he hopes can help him in his bid to win his third world title after his successes with Renault in 2005 and 2006.

After completing the first pre-season test in Jerez, Spain, Alonso and co-driver Jenson Button flew to Japan for the McLaren-Honda F1 press conference. According to 33-year-old Spanish racing driver, he is happy to become a part of the new era of the McLaren-Honda partnership. He added that the team will embark on challenging climb to reach the top of the Formula One, or F1 leaderboard.

“I’m very excited to be part of the McLaren-Honda family,” Alonso said during the McLaren-Honda F1 Press Conference in Japan on Feb. 10. “After many years in Formula One, I feel the new motivation and the adrenaline of competing at the maximum level with the best possible team and my message for the fans will be to support us and to enjoy the season as we will do and be ready for some victories hopefully soon.”

McLaren is considered as one of the most successful F1 teams in the history of the sport, having won 12 drivers’ championships (1974, 1976, 1984-1986, 1988-1991, 1998-1999, and 2008) and eight constructors’ championships (1974, 1984-1985, 1988-1991, and 1998). In 2014, it was announced that McLaren will be teaming up with Honda, which will provide their engines replacing Mercedes Benz, for the 2015 F1 season. Honda returns to the F1 scene after being away since December 2008.

Alonso first joined the McLaren F1 team in 2007, in which he finished third racking up four titles in Malaysia, Monaco, Europe, and Italy. In 2014, it was announced that Alonso will rejoin McLaren after the Spaniard signed a reported AU$ 51.42 million ($ 40 million) two-year contract with an option for extension, making him the highest-paid driver on the grid.

Alonso and Jenson Button will continue their second pre-season test in Barcelona Spain from Feb. 19 to Feb. 22. The third pre-season test will also take place in Barcelona from Feb. 26 to March 1. The 2015 F1 season starts in Melbourne on March 15.

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