Hamilton wants McLaren and Alonso back up front

©Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton would like nothing more than to see Fernando Alonso and McLaren join the battle at the front in 2018.

McLaren's imminent deal with Renault, which will replace Honda as the Woking-based team's engine supplier, will hopefully entice Alonso to stay on board and enjoy a competitive package next season, hopes the Mercedes driver.

"I hope that he's got a car to fight with us next year," Hamilton said in Thursday's media session in Singapore.

"That only adds to the spectacle and challenge. We want to see the best drivers and the best teams up there and it's been a shame not to have McLaren where they historically have been.

Alonso pushes back F1 decision a few weeks

"Whether it's with McLaren or whatever Fernando happens to be next year, I hope he has the chance to be fighting with us."

Renault's power unit still appears to lag that of its rivals, Mercedes and Ferrari. But many believe the relative shortfall can be partly made up by the qualities of McLaren's chassis design.

Fernando Alonso is expected to reach a decision regarding his future in F1 once McLaren has finalised his plans and once he has conducted a bit of due diligence on the team's plans and design for 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.