As Typhoon Phanfone seemingly closes in on Suzuka, Fernando Alonso was weathering his own little storm as he faced the F1 media once again.

As ever, the subject up for discussion was the Spaniard's future - or possibly lack of it - with the Italian team, as speculation intensifies.

"You can ask the questions, but you cannot answer them for me," he replied, laughing, when one journalist kept pushing him to say what his future plans are.

I live for my job and I prepare myself from 1st January to 31st December and with Ferrari's it's special, because this is the best team in the world," he said. "For five years, I have given my all on the track and the numbers show that. But off the track also my number one priority has been the team, doing the best for Ferrari.

"I live in the real world, so I am aware of all the rumours," he added. "But my first priority is working for the team, to help in the fight with Williams in the championship. My second priority is my future, but there is nothing new on this subject since last year, since July and now even in October there is no news. So, as I said earlier, I always put the interests of the team and of the tifosi and of this brand that is Ferrari and is bigger than any one of us, before my own interests."

Nonetheless, he admitted that he exists (in F1) merely to win and needs a car capable of making this possible.

"I am a very competitive person and I want to win, which is something, I have wanted since I was ten years old and starting karting at a professional level. I want to win and am ready to maximise my performance at what I think is the best moment of my career. I hope I can get the benefit of this in the next few years, adding some titles, retiring with more than two. But you never know."

"At the end of the day you have an idea in your mind and my mind is already set," he concluded. "I've been extremely lucky to choose where I drive in Formula 1, to choose my own future, which is not the norm. I will do my best, together with Ferrari's best, taking the minimum risk."

However, with headlines on the team's website reading 'Alonso: "Ferrari is the best team in the world"' and 'Raikkonen: "I believe 100% in the people at Ferrari"' one cannot help but feel that the message is being pushed just a little too hard, like the football team echoing its confidence in its (soon to be fired) manager or the politician's partner putting on a brave face as their partner is fighting for their career in the wake of a scandal.

Check out our Thursday gallery, here.

Chris Balfe