EXCLUSIVE: McLaren sack Alonso while Lewis basks in limelight

Although an official statement described the departure as a "mutual parting of the ways", Sportsmail understands the Spaniard was ordered to leave or face a legal action alleging breach of contract.

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Another day in the limelight, Lewis? This time he was at the MTV music awards to present Avril Lavigne with a gong

Alonso conceded defeat after a week of fraught negotiations, walking away without the last two years of his £36million three-year contract being paid and into an uncertain future.

He has yet to secure a drive for next season, although he is unlikely to be short of suitors.

Renault, with whom he won his two world titles, lead the chasing pack but it remains to be seen whether the terms of his departure allow him to join one of McLaren's major rivals so soon.

Williams and Red Bull are also in contention. Alonso was publicly supportive of yesterday's announcement, saying: "Since I was a boy I always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out.

"I continue to believe that McLaren are a great team. Yes, we have had our ups and downs, which made it extra challenging for all of us and it is not a secret that I never really felt at home.

"I know there have been suggestions of favouritism within the team and people say a lot of things in the heat of battle, but in the end I was provided with an equal opportunity to win.

"This decision allows all of us to focus on 2008 and I wish the team and their partners, whom I have worked closely with during the year, the best for the future."

Behind all the bluster, Alonso leaves as a diminished figure. Not only because of his tantrums, but as a driver unable to tame Lewis Hamilton, the sensational rookie sharing his McLaren garage.

It was the dawning of that unpalatable fact that led him to pick a fight with his boss Ron Dennis.

Alonso's disgruntlement can be traced as far back as the first race of the season in Melbourne.

He felt the British team saw Hamilton as their favoured son and failed to accord him the reverence he deserved as the reigning double world champion.

He went public with those concerns following the Canadian Grand Prix in June, before plunging relations to a point of no return eight weeks later in Hungary.

There, after blocking Hamilton in qualifying, he threatened Dennis by telling him he would incriminate McLaren for spying on Ferrari unless he was given outright No.1 status. His wish was refused and the sniping continued.

Many were amazed he was not dismissed on the spot, but Dennis refused to budge until the championship was over.

Alonso has already turned down a one-year deal with Toyota worth around £25m, while Red Bull principal Christian Horner yesterday distanced himself from a move.

The Spaniard's banishment raises the question of who will partner Hamilton next season.

Dennis's clear favourite is Williams starlet Nico Rosberg, the 22-year-old son of 1982 world champion Keke. If he moved across, that could open the way for Alonso.