Double world champion Fernando Alonso has refused to rule out ever joining Ferrari. The Spaniard has left McLaren to re-join Renault in 2008, but speculation persists that his new contract will allow him to switch to Ferrari when a seat opens up at the Italian team a year later.

Alonso, 26, told Spanish radio this week that every team "except Ferrari" approached him about working together in 2008. He also told Cadena Ser: “Contracts in Formula One are always flexible. However, I have not signed for Renault so that I can leave after only one year.”

Alonso expressed frustration with rumours that he was desperate to arrange his new Renault contract in order to give himself the opportunity to flee to Ferrari in 2009. “Fifteen days after I sign with Renault, it is unfair to say that I want to go to Ferrari. McLaren and Williams are also great racing teams, but Ferrari is the biggest one that you can go to. If one day I go there, I would have to enjoy it, of course,” he explained.

Alonso also played down reports that Brazilian rookie Nelson Piquet Jr could in 2008 give him just as much trouble as a teammate as Lewis Hamilton did this year. “All I have to do is go faster than him and, anyway, I believe that Flavio [Briatore] knows how to handle the situation. I don't think there are going to be any problems,” Alonso said.

Source: GMM