Brown expecting 'positive conclusion' soon to Alonso contract talks

McLaren and Fernando Alonso are likely in the final stretch of contract talks which will hopefully see the Spaniard extend his stay at Woking at least for another year.

McLaren boss Zak Brown is confident a positive outcome between the two parties is around the corner, with a deal possibly announced this week in Austin.

"We wanted to get the Asian swing out of the way and our new power unit partner in place which is now done… (so) I expect we’ll have a positive conclusion to our plans with Fernando here in not too long," Brown said.

"He’s in the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. We have to get a deal done before anything is announced."

• Alonso defends the poor timing of his career choices

Alonso had hoped to have his F1 plans finalised by mid-September, but with the devil in the details, talks have extended beyond the initial deadline.

Brown confirmed the McLaren driver's interest in venturing beyond F1 next year, although another shot at the Indy 500 would be unlikely.

"Fernando has a desire to win the Triple Crown as we all know. He’s a pure racer who would like to race every weekend and has a desire to race other races.

"It’s something we’re certainly open to doing with him when and where appropriate.

"We’re also open-minded to allow him to compete in other races on a very limited basis if the scenario is complementary to his Formula 1 efforts, and not detrimental to his Formula 1 program.

"What we wouldn’t allow is to run in multiple racing series. But like Indy, if there’s the occasional one-off, on a case-by-case basis we’ll allow him to do that."

Sportscar racing could be an arena targeted by the two-time world champion, with Le Mans, which doesn't conflict next year with the F1 schedule, the most obvious choice.

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