Alonso: McLaren F1 engine call not biggest factor in deciding future

Fernando Alonso says that McLaren's call on a Formula 1 engine supplier for 2018 "won't be the most important thing" when it comes to deciding his own future.

Alonso is out of contract with McLaren at the end of the season, having toiled in the midfield since 2015 thanks to the team's struggles with engine partner Honda.

McLaren is pushing to break from its Honda contract at the end of the year and secure a Renault engine supply for 2018, with a decision due before next weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

Alonso is widely expected to remain at McLaren should it make the switch across, but the Spaniard is not going to rush a decision, stressing that the team's engine call is not the sole factor influencing his own movemenets.

"We will see what happens. There are some options out there and I need to look at all of them and make a decision," Alonso said.

"But I don’t think that will happen before Singapore. And the team’s engine decision won’t be the most important thing.

"There is always news that is important: the news about LMP1 rules is important; the new IndyCar aero kit is important; Andretti staying with Honda is important news; what engine McLaren will have is important news – there was much important news."

Should McLaren make the move across to a Renault supply, the British team will face greater expectation to fight with Red Bull to be the top team powered by the French manufacturer, but Alonso is wary of making any firm assumptions.

"I don’t think we can concentrate on one race’s performance or on what you want to see in one race," Alonso said.

"We know Renault did six consecutive podiums, we know what that engine could do. We know what the Mercedes engine could also do with Force India and Williams this year.

"We know what the options are, so we need to make a decision."