Renault could bid for Fernando Alonso's services for 2018 but won't entice the Spanish driver with unrealistic prospects.
Alonso's contract with McLaren expires at the end of this year and after three years of bitter disappointment, a renewal of his allegiance to the Woking-based outfit appears unlikely at this stage.
The Spaniard's choice for 2018 could be limited however with a seat at Mercedes unlikely as long as Lewis Hamilton is there and a return to Ferrari equally improbable.
Could Renault step up and make an offer to Alonso, this renewing the pair's successful relationship which led to two world championships in 2005 and 2006?
Renault Sport boss Cyril Abiteboul could be interested, but the manufacturer won't go out of its way to accommodate any big name in F1.
"I am not here to pull off a one-off coup with someone, I am not living in the past," Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.
"I started working in F1 when Flavio [Briatore] and Fernando were in this group together at Enstone, so I am emotionally touched by this period.
"But equally circumstances have changed, we need also to have a final line-up that will be the right one for the future.
"I don't think next year we will be in a position to fight for the championship. So we need a driver who can support us in this ultimate fight for the championship, but be prepared to wait for the time to come for this to happen."
Unfortunately, Fernando Alonso probably feels he's been waiting long enough at McLaren and there wouldn't be much point in jumping ship to join another work in progress.
Perhaps Alonso's most logical choice could simply be a full season of Indycar in 2018, living Stateside and enjoying a laid back atmosphere far away from the furors and disturbances of F1.
He would get another shot at the Indy 500 while possibly also racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Fernando Alonso's trip to Indy may just lead to bigger consequences than we think.
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