Alonso Plays Down Talk of Leaving Renault

Rubens Barrichello and Briton Jenson Button had both earlier talked openly about Alonso holding talks with their team.

The double world champion, linked increasingly to Honda in media speculation, told a news conference at the European Grand Prix that he was "not even thinking about next year."

The 27-year-old Spaniard was speaking after clocking the second fastest time in practice for Sunday's race at Valencia's new 5.42-km street track.

Honda's Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello and Briton Jenson Button had both earlier talked openly about Alonso holding talks with their team.

However Alonso said: "Nothing is happening at all. I am not thinking of next year now and will not until the end of the season.

"I am not talking to anyone now at all. I am fully focused on this year's championship and I am not worried about next year."

His Renault team chief Flavio Briatore, who sat beside him during the news conference, said they were working as hard as possible to "give Fernando a winning car" to make sure he stayed with the team next season.

"That is our aim, to keep Fernando," said Briatore.

Barrichello said he accepted that Honda were in talks with Alonso about taking his berth at the team when his contract expired at the end of this season but still hoped to stay.

"I think the team is definitely talking to Fernando but that's the question mark," he said. "I have never been so enthusiastic about my whole situation with the team.

"I left Ferrari because I didn't have the freedom to do what I wanted to do. I have that at Honda, but I still have not had the car to perform and I am waiting for that chance.

"The day that I feel that I am slower than my first race is the day I will call it off and stop. The conversations are there and I am talking to the team. I am talking to all the teams. I want to be racing," he added.

Button said he was not worried: "In a way, it's good the team are talking to someone like Alonso who has a lot of experience, and with good teams.

"They are going to talk to other drivers, that's only natural. But I'm very happy with my position within the team."