Ferrari could be an option for Alonso

Alonso rejoined his former team Renault during the winter after a torrid season alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, but has struggled with an uncompetitive car in the first two races of this season.

Now the Spaniard says that if the car remains as it is he will have to look elsewhere, saying in Spanish newspaper AS: "I'm at Renault because we won in 2005 and 2006 and I want to get back to that, if not this year then next year. But as I have a clause that allows me to leave I will try to be in the best car possible, and it's clear that Ferrari is one of the best."

Rumours were rife at the end of last season that the Italian team was his preferred destination, but with current world champion Kimi Raikkonen and second driver Felipe Massa under contract until the end of 2010, his path to the 'Scuderia' was blocked.

But now he admits Massa's under-par performances so far this season, which have seen him retire from both races, plus the fact that Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has made no secret of his admiration for Alonso, has meant speculation linking him to the Italian team has resurfaced.

"It's early to talk about moves and rumours, but Massa has had two bad races with mistakes and that has sparked speculation," Alonso said. "It's logical, but like I said it's too early."

With regard to this season, the 26-year-old has little hope of mounting any kind of championship challenge with Renault after just two races, and has told his fans not to expect anything.

"Take a sabbatical, or enjoy the season for the spectacle of Formula One and not for my chances of success," he said.

He added sarcastically: "The first place (in the world championship) has got 14 points, and after two more or less average races I've picked up six.

"Plus I'm only five points off Raikkonen."