Although Renault boss Flavio Briatore insists that there is a sixty percent chance of Fernando Alonso returning to his old team - the Italian even going so far as to say (on Monday) that a deal could be done in the next forty-eight hours - the two-time champion still shows no sign of making a decision, and thereby (re) kick-starting the 2008 transfer market.

As we have reported before, reliable Pitpass sources claim that the Spaniard has already turned down two firm deals, a five-year contract with Red Bull, and a three-year contract with Renault. Alonso clearly has his eyes set on a seat at Ferrari, possibly as early as 2009, and is therefore unwilling to commit to anyone for more than a year, two years at most. Consequently, the wait continues as there are few teams willing to take on the Spaniard knowing they are being used as a stop-gap.

His manager, Luis Garcia, has told the BBC that there is no rush to sign a deal, which appears to suggest that Alonso is holding off on a return to Renault until the French team's fate - following its role in the latest spy saga - is decided on December 6.

"He will decide when he knows the best option for his future," said Garcia. "He is on holiday and we have nothing to say at the moment."

All this leads some F1 insiders to suggest that should Alonso fail to get the deal he wants, he may well remain "on holiday", returning in 2009.