SpyGate II

McLaren has produced documents that show one of its ex-engineers downloaded 33 files containing over 780 technical drawings to Renault's computer system. If true, Renault's protestations that this is much ado about nothing will be proven a bit of an....understatement.

This also casts doubt about where Fernando Alonso will go in 2008. He's been coy about his next seat, but it appears that he's going to bide his time and see where this goes.

If McLaren's penalty for possessing Ferrari's data is any indication, Renault may be excluded from the 2008 championship. If so, Alonso may need to find a seat elsewhere.

Red Bull? Not yet, as they still use customer engines.

Honda? Ummm, with the disaster that befell the team this season, Alonso would be crazy to take a flyer with them. He'd also have to face Jensen Button, a driver who would show him no mercy. Alonso is defuintiely faster that Jensen, but he doesn't want another situation like 2007.

No other teams have open seats, at least none that are publicly acknowledged.

It's been widely reported that Alonso has a signed deal with Ferrari for 2009, but I would discount those rumors. I don't see Maranello putting themselves in McLaren's position by having both Alonso AND Raikkonen, especially since Raikkonen is the new World Champion.

Unfortunately, Alonso's only logical move is Renault, even with SpyGate II hanging over their head.

Prediction: Alonso goes to Renault, AND Renault gets excluded from the 2008 championship. Kavalainen goes to Mclaren.