Montoya in talks with Renault?

McLaren-Mercedes driver Juan Pablo Montoya could be on his way to Renault at the end of this season, following Ron Dennis' decision to sign Fernando Alonso, who will go the opposite way.

According to reports in the Spanish press, Montoya's manager, Julian Jakobi has begun preliminary talks with the regie, although he has yet to meet with Renault team boss, Flavio Briatore.

The current thinking goes that JPM, as a Spanish speaker, would be an ideal replacement for Alonso, to keep Spanish backer, Telefonica happy, especially as Renault will have to do without tobacco brand Mild Seven in 2007, a void that Telefonica might fill, even if only partially.

Montoya confirmed last month that he is looking around, after McLaren failed to take up their option on him in December, to extend his deal by another two years.

"There has been no decision on what is going to happen at McLaren but I am open to offers," he told British newspaper The News of the World in January. "I can't wait to see whether Ron makes up his mind. I am not waiting for anybody. I will see who offers me what I want.

"I've been looking around since the day Ron said he wasn't going to take up the option. Before Ron had even announced Fernando was joining, I was looking around because I need to find a drive if he doesn't want me. I'm not thinking about whether to stay here. If they don't want me, then I will find a team who do. At the moment, if I had an option from Ferrari or Renault or Williams - or a long-term commitment from another team - then I would take it. I am a racer and I want to make sure I'll be battling for the title."