Alonso downplays BMW link for 2009.

Fernando Alonso has sought to pour cold water on the speculation linking him to a possible switch to BMW-Sauber next year.

The Spaniard is known to be unhappy with his current situation at Renault [see separate story - click here], having failed to so much as mount the rostrum this season. Indeed, he counts just nine points from the opening seven grands prix of the 2008 F1 campaign, when this time last year - racing for McLaren-Mercedes - he had notched up 48.

BMW rival and close friend Robert Kubica recently admitted that he believed he and Alonso would have 'a lot of fun' should they be paired up together at the Hinwil and Munich-based outfit in 2009 [see separate story - click here].

However, whilst the former double world champion acknowledged BMW's impressive form - sitting ahead of McLaren and just three points adrift of Ferrari at the top of the constructors' title standings - he insisted any talk of him moving there next year was rather premature.

"BMW was a team that was in an ascending phase last year and they have confirmed in 2008 that it was no fluke," the 26-year-old told Spanish newspaper Diario AS.

"They have become the third big team with Ferrari and McLaren, and Robert is a great friend of mine and I'm glad he's fighting for the title.

"You never know if your team-mate is your friend or your rival, though. I think we're going to continue on our own paths."