Alonso: I've already rejected 60 per cent of 2018 offers

Fernando Alonso claims he has already rejected 60 per cent of offers he has received for a 2018 drive, with the remaining 40 per cent “still on the table” as he considers his future with McLaren in Formula 1.

Two-time world champion Alonso has been struggling for the past three years with McLaren thanks to continual issues with the Honda power units used by the team, limiting the Spaniard to just two points finishes through the first 11 races of the 2017 season.

Alonso is now the focal point of F1’s driver market ‘silly season’ for 2018 with his McLaren contract up at the end of the season, and has long made his desire to be back winning races clear.

Fresh speculation at Spa suggested that Williams may offer Alonso a seat for 2018, and while he did not address this rumour directly, he confirmed that a number of propositions had been made in recent months.

“I will have a think and take decisions in the next month,” Alonso said.

“Definitely I have some offers, and I did have offers in June, in July, in August.

“60 per cent of them I said no to already, and the other 40 per cent are still on the table.”

Relying Alonso’s maths is accurate, he will have therefore received at least five offers for a race seat in 2018, although it is unclear whether this is limited solely to F1.

Following Ferrari's confirmation of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen for 2018 earlier this week and Mercedes' expected extension of Valtteri Bottas' contract, Alonso's options for next year are limited, particularly if his heart is set on being in a race-winning car.