Fernando Alonso will make a visit to Woking this week for the first time since 2007, according to authoritative media sources.

Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo claims that following the conclusion of a what is believed to be a two-year deal for 2015-16 with a one-year option for 2017 should performance objectives be met on both sides, Alonso will travel to the team’s Woking headquarters on Wednesday to put pen to paper.

The deal is believed to be the most lucrative contract in F1 history at an estimated £25 million.

According to Spanish paper AS, “Alonso and McLaren have agreed for the Spaniard to be the star of the British team’s new project with a Honda engine. Alonso will have a considerably higher salary as both McLaren and Honda make a big effort to win again”.

Alonso’s decision to accept the McLaren deal has now forced the team into making the difficult decision on who will remain as his team mate.

Danish rookie, Kevin Magnussen is seen as the favourite to remain with the team since they’ve nurtured him but he may not be the smartest choice. Jenson Button has outscored Magnussen by almost double (106 points vs 55) and the Briton’s experience could be something the team will need if it wants to win a championship. The combined experience of Alonso and Button would give a huge push toward the development of the new Honda V6 engine.

Judging by his own comments and body language in Brazil last week however, Button looks set to be sent packing which will most likely see him leave Formula One. Button is unimpressed with the way the team have handled the Alonso deal and he is clearly not feeling much love from the Woking outfit at the moment.

Press Association Sport have quoted Button as saying, “Naturally I still want to earn money because I feel I have achieved and I feel I should get paid for what I do in an F1 car or a racing car, and for what I bring to a team.

“But I’m not a driver that takes the p***, and I will race somewhere even I’m if not getting the big bucks like a few drivers who are out there.

“You should get what you deserve. I feel I bring a lot to a team, not just in terms of results, but in terms of marketing within a team and working with sponsors, and how I can help develop a car.

“You want to feel like you are wanted within a team and part of the family.

“It’s like if your parents were to turn round and say ‘You know what, we’re not sure if we want you at Christmas this year. But your brother can come, he’s great’. You know what I mean.

“You want to feel like you are part of the family, and they want you to be part of the family, and that’s more important than cash.”

If the decision does come down to finances, Magnussen will be the obvious choice to stay at McLaren since he is by far the cheaper option.

One could understand that Button would be a little disappointed in McLaren for not giving him more notice. BBC commentator and Former McLaren driver David Coulthard agrees that the team has treated Button disrespectfully and have accused the team of seeing drivers as “light bulbs”.

“Maybe it (that comment) has had some reaction from the team, but I stand by my view,” he told the Telegraph.

“The right thing is to treat people well. To have him (Button) hanging on like this is unfair. Going into the last race should be a celebration – if it is to be his last – but we may not know.

“He deserves better,” Coulthard added.

Alonso as it turns out is said to be keen for Button to stay for at least one more season to work alongside him.

“I hope he [Button] stays [in F1],” France’s Le Figaro quotes Alonso as having said at Interlagos.

“He is a very talented driver and a good person. People like him are good for our sport.”

It is likely that whatever McLaren decide, both drivers will be announced simultaneously before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The announcement will clear the way for Ferrari to publicly confirm Sebastian Vettel’s arrival at the Scuderia.