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Alonso could explore options outside F1 for 2018

Fernando Alonso is willing to consider competing outside of Formula 1 in 2018 if he is unable to find a seat that will give him a chance to win races next season.

Alonso, 36, has been struggling with McLaren since rejoining the team in 2015, scoring just two top-10 finishes so far this season amid ongoing problems with the Honda power unit.

Alonso is out of contract at the end of the year, and has made clear on multiple occasions that he will consider leaving McLaren unless signs of progress begin to show.

The nature of the driver market for 2018 means alternatives in F1 are running out for Alonso, but the Spaniard is refusing to rule out a possible move outside of the sport if no good options can be found.

"Formula 1 is still my priority, it's my life, and winning the world championship is what I'm hoping," Alonso told CNN.

"If I don't see any project that will allow me to fight for the win I will look outside F1.

"But that's [a decision I will make around] November, December. I will try all the possibilities before that."

Alonso has long held an ambition to complete the Triple Crown of Motorsport, comprising the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Alonso made his Indy 500 debut back in May in a joint effort between McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport, qualifying fifth and leading at one stage before retiring late on.

The appearance led to suggestions that Alonso could consider a switch into IndyCar full-time in the future, but such a move seems unlikely for 2018.

A previous alternative for Alonso could have been a switch to the FIA World Endurance Championship, only for the demise of the LMP1 class after Porsche's quit announcement to end any chance of this happening next year.

Zdroj: crash.net