Alonso dismisses two Honda rumours

Fernando Alonso has denied reports that he retired a healthy car in Spa and also the rumour that he has told McLaren to pick him or Honda.

Alonso is approaching decision time with regards to his future as his current contract with McLaren-Honda continues to wind down.

Reports had suggested that Alonso issued McLaren with an ultimatum after another horror show at the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, but the two-time World Champion has insisted that is not the case.

"It is absolute rubbish," Alonso told reporters.

"I am extremely happy here and l believe we could have the package to win a championship.

"I will start sitting down with the team, what are the prospects for the future, the expectation for next year. We will see what the proposals are.

"If they are very good, maybe two years could work. Maybe one year, maybe three, maybe five – l am young enough."

With Alonso now seemingly open to staying as part of a McLaren-Honda relationship, he also expressed his surprise to see stories that he retired the car in protest at Spa.

He added: "I had a few issues on the power unit in the three or four laps before the retirement.

"I had this a couple of other times before when some sensors start failing and some things started feeling wrong and then it went immediately to engine blow-up.

"So this time, after having those first problems, we retired the car and they checked the whole engine and it seems like everything is fine on the look they did.

"So we will try to fit that engine (on Friday) for second practice. If it blows up, we will change it obviously. If it keeps holding probably we keep using it."

Alonso is set to start at the back of the grid again for the Italian Grand Prix with a fresh wave of engine penalties coming his way.