Alonso hints at exit from McLaren

Fernando Alonso has hinted he may not stay with McLaren next year as he deepened his row with Lewis Hamilton.

Alonso, 26, says he would rather not be in the same team as Hamilton, who looks set to take the world title from him.

Hamilton's win in Japan on Sunday puts him 12 points clear with two races left and Alonso said: "I'd be delighted if I didn't carry on with Hamilton.

"If we are not together next season and I can go to a good car, then great," he told Spanish radio station SER.

He added: "If we have to carry on together then we will have another beautiful fight."

Alonso also denied speculation he could take 2008 off, returning to Formula One to drive for Ferrari when his McLaren contract runs out in two years' time.

He said: "It hasn't entered into my plans not to race next year.

"I don't have any news about Ferrari. They have a contract with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa for next year, it's not a possibility for me."

Hamilton says he would rather Alonso was not still at McLaren next year, even if it meant the double world champion ending up at Ferrari.

"I'd much rather it were Fernando at Ferrari and me at McLaren," said Hamilton prior to winning at Fuji Speedway on Sunday.

Alonso's relationship with McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has broken down after a series of disagreements during the year.

It reached a low point during a row at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August over Alonso's status in the team.

Alonso threatened during the row to reveal incriminating e-mail evidence about McLaren's involvement in the spy row that has dominated the sport this summer to the sport's governing body, the FIA.

He quickly apologised and withdrew the threat, but not before Dennis had telephoned FIA president Max Mosley to tell him of the conversation.

It ultimately led to McLaren being thrown out of this year's constructors' championship and fined �49.2m for having confidential Ferrari technical information in their possession.

And Hamilton has turned up the pressure on McLaren to tear up Alonso's contract, which still has two years to run, by saying he sees a long-term future at the team.

Source: BBC Sport