29/09/2008
NEWS STORY
Following a famous victory on the streets of Singapore, two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has strongly hinted that he may remain with the manufacturer in 2009.
Clearly delighted following his first win since Monza 2007, the Spaniard said: "I want to say thanks to the team because they keep working with this car. We had a new front wing here, at this race, and if you think how the championship is, and that they are already working on next year's car.
"This victory is also thanks to the massive effort they are making with this year's car and next year's car, he continued, "but it's not changing the decision for next year."
"Renault will be my first priority because I feel I'm at home in this team," he added.
In truth, Alonso's options are limited, especially in light of the surprise move at Ferrari which sees Kimi Raikkonen committing himself to the Maranello cause until 2010.
Honda have made no secret of the fact that they are willing to dig deep financially to acquire his services, however, there is nothing, thus far, to suggest that they could give him anything else, certainly in terms of a fully competitive, i.e. winning, car.
The only other options is BMW, however, while the German team might see the logic in having a proven winner on board, other than the Spaniard's reputation as being 'difficult', Theissen and his team will want to prove they can achieve greater success under their own steam without having to sign a driver who might appear to take all the credit. Then again, a race winner is a race winner.