Two days before the last race of the season in Brazil on October 21, it seems that the biggest mystery is not who will Formula One’s next world championship, but rather where Fernando Alonso is going next season.

The problems the double-world reigning champion has with his current team McLaren-Mercedes are no secret, and with the last day of the championship nearing, speculation about Alonso’s next team is soaring. First on the list was his former team Renault. It was with Renault that Alonso won his two titles in 2005 and 2006, and for many it was not surprising to hear rumours that Renault boss Flavio Briatore had offered Alonso the number one seat in the 2007/2008 season. Although neither has confirmed these reports, it is obvious that the two enjoy good relations. The proof was the support Alonso got from Briatore in his fight against teammate Lewis Hamilton in Brazil. Briatore told the Daily Mirror that Hamilton, who is four points ahead of Alonso, would feel the heat more than the defending champion.

“For me the favourite is still Fernando. He has the experience, he has been here before and he has always been fast in Brazil, which is a difficult and unusual circuit,” Briatore said.

On the big question of Alonso’s return to Renault, Briatore said: “If he is not contracted to another team we would be happy to have him back at Renault.”

On October 17, Alonso’s former Renault teammate Jarno Trulli, who currently drives for Toyota, joined the discussion about Alonso’s future. In an interview with Spain’s El Mundo, Trulli said that all Alonso could get from joining Toyota was big money and nothing else. According to Trulli, although Toyota had the biggest budgets in Formula One, the team was not yet ready for the big race and had little to offer Alonso in terms of successful performance.

Hamilton, on the other hand, has little to worry about a future employer. The 22-year-old Brit enjoys a brilliant and outstanding first season in Formula One that has made him a world sport star and a nation’s favourite. With Alonso gone, no one will challenge his number one seat in McLaren next year.

Things might change after the race in Brazil only if Alonso becomes a champion again, which will undoubtedly increase his future salary. To do this, however, he must defeat Hamilton and Ferrari’s number one Kimmi Raikkonen. Currently Hamilton leads the table with 107 points. Alonso has 103 and Raikkonen is third with 100 points. The only way for Alonso to be champion for a third consecutive time is for him to win the race and Hamilton to finish third or lower.