09/10/2008
NEWS STORY
Singapore winner Fernando Alonso has said he is in no rush to decide where he will go in 2009, claiming that he will make a decision after the season finale in Brazil.
With Kimi Raikkonen seemingly continuing at Ferrari, and BMW confirming an unchanged line-up, the Spaniard's options are seriously limited. Honda has publicly courted the two-time world Champion, saying that money is no object, however, Alonso would surely want to see the Japanese team in a position to challenge the big guns before leaving Renault, which at least is able to regularly challenge for points.
"I have a contract with Renault for next year and the possibility to take that extension or not," he told reporters at the Fuji Speedway this morning.
"I'm not waiting in order to make your lives impossible," he joked. "I simply prefer to wait until the end of the season. After Brazil I will make my decision."
Referring to his victory in Singapore, a win that has many convinced the Spaniard will remain with the French team, he added: "It's the same question as always. On the Saturday we had the fuel pump problems and I was out of Q2 and the question was would it change my decision. The day after I won the race and it was 'Will this change your decision?'
"Nothing changed my decision," he insisted. "It will be more important than one single result. It's more about understanding next year's regulations, next year's car, the aerodynamics, whatever. We need to pay attention to that.
"We were extremely lucky with the race," he continued, "safety cars, tyre decisions, everything was perfect for us. In a normal race Ferrari and McLaren are still unbeatable."
Asked if he was disappointed by BMW's decision to stick with its current line-up, thereby closing that particular avenue, he said: "It was never a possibility. It was never a serious approach. They were quite happy with their drivers and there was no time to talk for me.
"Next year anything can happen," he continued, "but now I have three races left and I want to concentrate on driving for Renault which is my job this year."