Renault hints Alonso return not priority

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has spoken out about a potential move for Fernando Alonso to the French team for 2018, stating that it is not their priority to sign the Spaniard for next season.

Alonso is reportedly seeking a move away from McLaren-Honda at the end of the year in order to find a competitive and front of the field drive. The double world champion has a rich history with the team, winning his two championships with them in 2005 and 2006.

"I know you want to know something about Alonso and Renault," Abiteboul told the Spanish sports newspaper Marca. "I can only say that firstly Fernando is a world champion, we understand that he knows his time is running out, but we have to see what he wants to do with his life.

"So first he has to know what he wants himself. Does he still want to continue in Formula 1? Is he still passionate about the sport? Communication has never been cut, there has always been a kind of loyalty, but there is no need for him to wait for our team -- he knows where we are. Right now we are in full development and we want to focus on carrying out this work with the drivers we have, Jolyon and Nico," he said.

Abiteboul also spoke about the move that Alonso will make this month, skipping the Monaco Grand Prix for the Indy 500: "Being at Indy instead of Monaco proves that he wants to see what's outside of F1 and find the answer if he still loves F1. It is the first question to be answered.

"There will be time to talk but I don't want to feed rumours," he insisted. "Alonso is always a member of our family, but everyone has to make his living as well."

Fergal Walsh