KEY POINTS:
ISTANBUL - Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso recognises that he is most likely to stay at McLaren next season despite lingering doubts about his future.
"There are not many options I think and I have a contract with McLaren so the possibilities for the near future are around here, driving for McLaren," the Spaniard told reporters at the Turkish Grand Prix.
"As far as I know that is the only possibility," added the 26-year-old, in what came across as a less than wholehearted endorsement of the championship-leading team.
Asked specifically whether he was happy at McLaren, the champion replied without smiling: "As far as I have a winning car, I'm happy.
"This year we have a winning car, we are first and second in the drivers (championship) and leading the constructors so I am happy."
Alonso won both his titles with Renault and, according to paddock gossip, could be contemplating a swift return to the French team.
Seven points behind rookie team mate Lewis Hamilton with six races remaining, the Spaniard complained on Friday that he was not being rewarded for the insight and expertise he brought to McLaren.
He said also that he still had problems with McLaren, despite clearing the air with Hamilton in Istanbul after their falling out in Hungary earlier this month, and did not know where he would be driving next year.
"My belief is that last year McLaren were nowhere," he had told Spanish media.
"I remember how the car was going when I tested it in December and how it went in Australia.
"Those sixth tenths of a second that I have brought when I got in the car for the first time haven't been reflected at any time when we two drivers have been competing against each other.
"That is basically the quarrel I have had for the whole season but who doesn't have problems with their boss?"
Team principal Ron Dennis recognised the Spaniard's contribution but pointed also to a team effort in improving the car significantly since the start of the season.
"Don't hang so much on to one piece of information presented accurately by Fernando, but out of context in the bigger picture," he said.
Alonso will be competing in his 100th grand prix on Sunday, and team co-owners Mercedes presented him with a scale model of a 1954 'Silver Arrow' racing car to mark the occasion.
"It's something heavy for him to throw at us," quipped Dennis.
- REUTERS
