Fernando Alonso on Thursday said heâd give McLaren a chance to settle their plans before making a decision about his future â but warned that he wouldnât stick around in a losing car.
The frustrated two-time world champion has been making noises all season about quitting the British team, who are widely expected to dump their misfiring Honda engines and go with Renault instead.
Alonsoâs car has failed to complete six races this season, and his best finish so far is sixth. He said he had âmany optionsâ both inside and outside of Formula One, but added that âvery good news is comingâ.
âWhatever I do next year is because I want to win. I will not be around in any series to be fighting for top 10 or top 15,â he told reporters ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.
âThere are many options out there that Iâm looking at. Formula One is my first and only priority so I will wait to make a decision on that before making decisions on other series.
âAt the same time I want to give time to my team. After the last three years, the struggles we went through together, to have time for them to make decisions, to see the future, next yearâs car. And after they take decisions I will take mine.â
Alonsoâs comments appear to hint that he will stay at McLaren next year if they axe Honda, which is strongly rumoured to happen before Sundayâs race.
Alonso, 36, is one of the oldest drivers on the grid, and he also hankers after becoming only the second man after Graham Hill to complete motorsportâs Triple Crown â winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 and Le Mans.
GAME OF CHESS
Carlos Sainz
Alonso last year skipped Monaco to race the Indy 500 but he seemed hopeful that he would contest the famous street grand prix next season.
âIf I remain in Formula One it is because I can believe that I can win next year. So that will make the decision a lot easier because I will be in Monaco because I wonât want to lose any points,â he said.
âThe priority is Formula One⊠and the Triple Crown is in the background. Iâm waiting for my current team to make their decisions and after that, to negotiate.â
He added: âFor my fans and for motorsport lovers, they will have a fantastic 2018 season. The plan is ongoing and very good news is coming.â
Alonso last month denied telling McLaren heâd quit if they donât ditch Honda. Multiple reports say Honda will open a partnership with Toro Rosso, whose driver Carlos Sainz is tipped to join Renault as part of the deal.
Sainz said he couldnât comment on the rumours but he added: âMy ambition is to try and be a world champion one day. Whatever path there is, I will take the shortest path.â
World championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who has won two of his three driversâ titles since leaving McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, said: âFormula One is like a game of chess.
âItâs really about picking your moves at the right time and hopefully you have enough options.â
Provided by AFP Sport