Porsche boss: 'No room for Alonso in our team'

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Porsche boss Andreas Seidl says that he is perfectly happy with his team's current driver line-up and has no intentions of eventually making room for Fernando Alonso next year.

The McLaren drivers' self-proclaimed ambition to win the Triple Crown, which entails victory at Monaco in F1, at the Indy 500 and at Le Mans, has led many to believe he could be vying for a seat with the German manufacturer in 2018 to tackle the 24-hour classic.

But targeting a drive at Le Mans with Porsche could simply be a waste of time for the two-time F1 world champion who will be racing in the Indy 500 next month.

"We have six drivers with whom we are very satisfied -- and with whom we are planning for the long term," said Andreas Seidl.

"Alonso is an interesting driver and two years ago we could have put something together. But now we do not have a third prototype -- and there are currently no plans to change," he added.

Andretti hails perfect Indy opportunity for Alonso

McLaren has hinted that it could also be interested in a return to Le Mans, a race it won with its legendary F1 GTR in 1995.

But Alonso is only interested in an LMP1 drive as it is the only opportunity for achieving outright victory in the Sarthe.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.