Fernando Alonso insists Alpine future is far from certain despite contract extension talk

Fernando Alonso has insisted that his Formula One future is not certain despite talk of him extending his contract with Alpine. Some reports have suggested that the Spaniard is set to extend his deal beyond the 2022 season.

However, Alonso has said that is not the case and that a new contract has not been agreed. That is despite the veteran impressing during his two years with Alpine after taking a hiatus from the sport.

Alpine have 21-year-old reserve driver Oscar Piastri and the Australian could be looking for a place on the grid in the next few years. While Alonso has not said when he will step aside, he has not offered assurance over his future in the sport.

"It's never a guarantee that you will stay. We have to agree on something, I think, over the break [in August]. In the next weeks or whenever, I will sit down with the team and see what are their expectations," Alonso told journalists.

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"Also, what is the next step on the project, as well? I feel happy, I feel at home in Alpine, but there is no guarantee of anything, for sure."

Alpine are fifth in the F1 constructors' championship and Alonso has largely outperformed team-mate Esteban Ocon. The two-times world champion is 10th in the drivers' championship.

But Alonso has played down expectations for the remainder of the season, insisting it will be difficult to catch third-placed Mercedes. The Silver Arrows have seen a dramatic improvement in recent weeks, with Lewis Hamilton earning back-to-back podium finishes.

"I don't think it's going to be that easy for us [to catch Mercedes]. They have a huge organisation, and we knew that they would come back sooner or later," Alonso added.

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