Fernando says news in other motorsport series also interesting him
Saturday 30 September 2017 08:49, UK
Fernando Alonso says McLaren face an "important" week as he waits to learn their engine supplier for 2018.
McLaren are believed to have decided to severe their ties with Honda at the end of the season with Sky Sports understanding an announcement could be made as early as this week.
A switch to Renault engines is being lined up but numerous factors are at play in the complex negotiations between the various parties, with several rounds of discussions taking place over the Italian GP weekend.
But McLaren chief Zak Brown told Sky F1 after Sunday's race that "once the main domino falls, everything else will fall into place". And Alonso is hopeful McLaren's 2018 plans will become clear in a matter of days.
"It's an important week for McLaren to make some decisions," Alonso told Sky Sports F1.
"Hopefully we all know something before Singapore and we can comment on it there."
Alonso is out of contract at the end of the season and Brown reckons it is "very likely" the two-time world champion would stay on into a Renault era.
But, speaking on Sunday evening, Alonso suggested confirmation of McLaren's 2018 engine supply was not the only "news" that is interesting him at the moment across motorsport. Should the Spaniard not stay in F1, he has been linked with moves to IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship.
"There is always news that is important," he told Sky Sports News.
"The news of yesterday about the LMP1 rules is important. The new aero kit of IndyCar is important. Andretti keeping with Honda is important news. What engine McLaren will have is important news. There is many important news."
However, Alonso appears increasingly likely to extend his hitherto unfulfilled second stint at McLaren for at least another 12 months. He says the team know what they would be capable of achieving with a non-Honda engine.
"We know Red Bull did five or six consecutive podiums. We know what that engine could do," he said when asked about Renault.
"We know what the Mercedes engine could do as well as well with Force India this year and Williams yesterday on the first row of the grid. We know what the options are and so we need to make a decision."
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