Fernando Alonso has admitted he is likely to see out his Formula 1 career with his current team, McLaren-Honda, and his retirement could come as early as 2017.
The Spaniard, speaking to Sky Sports during a recent visit to Azerbaijan's new street circuit, believes McLaren is the only team which can mount a challenge against current front-runner Mercedes and is therefore where he sees his future.
"Right now, to be honest, McLaren-Honda is for me the only challenger of Mercedes in terms of fighting for the world championship and stopping the domination of the Mercedes team in the recent years," said Alonso.
The 34-year-old doesn't forsee another change in teams before his retirement – which could come as early as 2017 when his original three-year McLaren contract comes to an end.
However proposed regulation changes to make the cars quicker and more challenging to drive could renew his interest. He is therefore keeping his contract options with McLaren open for the future.
"With the big change on the regulations and the future of Formula 1, let's see what happens. I'm not young anymore so I really hope to win with McLaren-Honda. We are getting closer and closer and we will see after 2017 if I stay with McLaren or I stop in Formula 1," he added. "I don't think I will switch teams anymore.
"First, I will see if I really enjoy driving next year's cars and how Formula 1 is evolving in the regulations," he said.
"Then, if I keep enjoying and I see the possibility of being world champion, you can [not] tell me that I will not extend the contract and I will keep chasing this third world championship."
