F1 gossip: Fernando Alonso on reasons for retiring, IndyCar, Honda, McLaren

Fernando Alonso competed in the Indy 500 in 2017

Friday, 17 August

Fernando Alonso says "very poor" on-track action in Formula 1 was the main reason behind his decision to retire, adding that there are "bigger challenges" elsewhere that may offer "better action, more joy, and I think more happiness". (Crash.net)

Alonso will test an Indy car in September at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. (NBC Sports)

Honda says it would welcome Alonso to IndyCar for 2019, and has not ruled out an engine supply for McLaren should the Formula 1 team join the series. (Yahoo)

Thursday, 16 August

Carlos Sainz joined Renault on loan during the 2017 season

McLaren's Fernando Alonso, who will retire at the end of the year, has also held discussions about driving in Formula E from 2020.(Mail)

If two-time world champion Alonso joins the IndyCar Series for the 2019 season it would be a "huge positive" and "great opportunity", say the sport's current drivers. (Autoweek)

Spaniard Alonso has also held discussions about driving in Formula E from 2020.(Mail)

Haas boss Gunther Steiner says Kevin Magnussen's rivals have been trying to knock the driver's confidence by complaining about him. (Motorsport)

Jacques Villeneuve says Ferrari would be making a big mistake by parting with Kimi Raikkonen and promoting Charles Leclerc. (F1i.com)

Wednesday, 15 August

Nascar has invited Fernando Alonso to race in the Daytona 500 next year after the Spaniard confirmed he will leave Formula 1 at the end of the season...

McLaren are continuing to work on a plan to enter the IndyCar series, with Alonso targeting Indy 500 success to complete motorsport's 'triple crown'. (Motorsport.com)

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has told Daniel Ricciardo the team will not be in a position to win a grand prix before 2020. (Auto Hebdo, via Fox Sports)

Haas driver Romain Grosjean has compared his struggles with those of 13-time tennis Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic's run of poor form prior to his recent Wimbledon success. (Autosport)

Williams chief Paddy Lowe says new front-wing rules make it tough for teams to judge aerodynamic targets for their 2019 cars. (Motorsport.com)

Tuesday, 14 August

Fernando Alonso is trailing a major announcement for Tuesday, with IndyCar hinting he could be set to switch to the United States

McLaren's Fernando Alonso is trailing a major announcement on Tuesday, with IndyCar mischievously hinting the Spaniard may be set to confirm a switch to drive in the United States. (Express)

Lewis Hamilton believes he will be "a different athlete" in the 2019 Formula 1 season as revised driver weight rules will allow him to be slightly heavier. (Autosport)

Charles Leclerc reckons Sauber's "huge" progress this season has looked bigger than it is because it took him a few races to get comfortable in Formula 1. (Motorsport)

Felipe Massa says former team-mate Fernando Alonso is as talented as Michael Schumacher, but would have got more from his talent if he wasn't a divisive figure. (F1.com)

The controversial 'Multi 21' incident in Malaysia 2013 acted as payback from Sebastian Vettel to Mark Webber, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has revealed. (Crash.net)