Alonso does not want to be with Lewis

Fernando Alonso appears set to leave McLaren after revealing he does not want to have Lewis Hamilton as his team-mate next season.

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has confirmed offering Alonso an escape route as the Spaniard's relationship with Hamilton and the Grove-based team have become strained.

And the 2005 and 2006 World Drivers' champion, who is set to lose his crown to rookie Hamilton, has told reporters: "I'd be delighted if I didn't carry on with Hamilton.

"If we are not together next season and I can go to a good car, then great. If we have to carry on together then we will have another great battle."

Alonso finds himself 12 points behind Hamilton at the top of the World Drivers' Championship standings ahead of the penultimate race of the season in China on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Briton knows that he needs a maximum of nine points from the last two grands prix to become the first driver to become world champion in his maiden season.

Hamilton's father, meanwhile, has claimed that his son will not be asking for a new contract if he does make Formula One history.

There has been some suggestion that Hamilton could see his £2 million salary rocket but his father and representative Anthony will not be forcing the issue with McLaren chief Ron Dennis.

Anthony Hamilton said: "We have the same contract from when we signed up for this job but everything changes after a while, doesn't it?

"We won't be asking for anything. We will be waiting as normal to be given things as it's much better to be given than when you ask. But I'm sure we won't have to wait long. We are in a long-term relationship at McLaren."

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