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Alonso still weighing options - giving McLaren time

McLaren will likely officially reveal its new partnership with Renault on Friday in Singapore, but Fernando Alonso won't be following suit with an announcement of his own.

While everyone is expecting the Spaniard to extend his stay at McLaren at least one more year following the team securing a supply of Renault power for a period of three years, Alonso insists he was still weighing up his options.

"There are options everywhere," he told the media in Singapore.

"And they are all very good. You just need to be patient and wait a couple of weeks."

"Whatever I do next year is because I want to win," he said.

"I will not be around in any series to be fighting for top 10 or top 15, anything like that.

"There are many options out there that I am studying and looking at. F1 is my first and only priority, so I will wait to make a decision on that before making decisions on other series."

Engine 'not the biggest factor' in deciding Alonso's future

While he recommended patience, the two-time world champion also said he wanted to get a firm grip on McLaren's future plans, not just on the engine front but also on the chassis design front.

"I want to give time to my team. With some struggles we went through together, I want to have time together to make decisions, to see next year's car and after they take a decision, I will take mine.

"I want to stay loyal to them and not make any decisions without them first making their decisions. I am relaxed, happy, and we see what is happening in the next weeks."

The 36-year-old is clearly giving priority to F1, but he also isn't giving up on his plans of tackling the triple crown of victories at Monaco, Le Mans and the Indy 500.

"The triple crown is a clear target for me in the future," he said.

"There are three races there, if the Indy 500 is together with Monaco, there is another one still to compete.

"If I remain in F1 it is because I believe I can win next year, and that will ease the decision a lot because I will be in Monaco as I don't want to lose points there.

"The priority is F1 and winning there. The triple crown is three races, not Indy, so many, many possibilities to do a fantastic 2018."

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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.