Fernando Alonso has given team no ultimatum, claims McLaren boss after Renault talks
FERNANDO ALONSO has not told McLaren to ditch Honda or he will walk despite reports of an ultimatum being issued.
Alonso’s contract expires at the end of the season and speculation is rife about his future.
The two-time F1 world champion’s options within his current sport are narrowing after Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen signed new deals with Ferrari.
A return to Renault appears to be the most likely option if he is to remain an F1 driver but a switch to IndyCar or remaining at McLaren have both not been ruled out.
McLaren too have yet to make a decision on either engine supplier for next year in light of Honda’s poor performance or Alonso’s future.
However, Renault bosses Jerome Stoll, Cyril Abiteboul and Alain Prost met in the McLaren motorhome on Friday at the Italian Grand Prix although it is not known what was discussed.
"It is very complicated," McLaren team boss Zak Brown said.
"There are a variety of pieces to the puzzle - some in our control, some not.
"If everything was done we would have a decision and an announcement to make.
“There are some challenges ahead of us that we need to navigate."
“We don't have an [engine] agreement in place with anybody."
Brown also denied that Alonso had made any ‘them or us’ threat regarding Honda.
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The Spaniard has always said that he wants to be in a car capable of winning races - something Brown believes he can deliver.
"The best thing for McLaren is to make the best sporting decision possible," Brown added.
"We are here to win so we are going to make a sporting decision.
"We can't afford not to be on the podium.
“It's a big decision that has lots of elements to it and economics are one.
“But fortunately we have extremely committed shareholders which means we can make a sporting decision and deal with the economics."