All eyes were on Fernando Alonso in the official Thursday press conference ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, especially with the news of a McLaren Renault deal on everyone's lips in the paddock. While awaiting confirmation from one or the other on a future deal, journalists turned to Alonso to try and extract some information.

As per usual, the Spaniard held strong and told them that they should have news of his future as soon as the team sorts out theirs. Until then it is simply a waiting game, for everybody…

Fernando, these 2017 F1 cars were intended to be more physical. Everyone seems to have coped fine so far, but is this the race that the drivers are expecting to be really tough?
Probably, yes. I think this one and the next one, Malaysia, will be the two races that will be more demanding physically, but as you said, I think there was more news in the winter than what actually we got when we went in the cars, so I think it's going to be OK and no problems for anyone.

And what news of you? Are you happy with the direction things are going with the McLaren? What have you been telling the team this past month or so?
Not much.

Any idea when we will have some news from you?
As I said, I will think what is the best option and as I have said many times, whatever I do next year is because I want to win. I will not be around in any series to be fighting for top 10 or top 15, nothing like that. There are many options out there that I am studying, that I'm looking at. As I said, F1 is my first and only priority and I will wait and make a decision on that before making decisions on other series. And at the same time, I want to give time to my team, after the last three years, with some struggles we went through together, to have time for them to make decisions, to see the future, next year's car and after they take their decisions I will take mine. I want to stay loyal at least to that and not make any decisions without them making first their decision. So relaxed, happy and we'll see what's going on in the next weeks.

Driving at night, what challenges or difficulties does that bring to you, and do you prefer it over day racing?
I don't think it makes any difference to us to be honest. We get used to the night driving quite quickly and the vision you have at that moment, so it makes no difference on driving. Probably this race it's nice to have it night. It looks good on television. It's a very unique event. So, probably in my opinion I prefer to race at night because we have been racing at night all the time. In different circuits, maybe in hot places, hot countries, maybe at night is also a good idea.

Fernando, you obviously went to America to race and enjoyed the experience. Are there are options from America, maybe from Indy, if things don't work out in Formula One for you?
There are options everywhere. And they are all very good. You just need to be patient and wait a couple of weeks.

Of course, the new F1 game shows Monaco at night. I'd like to know from you what other tracks can you think of that would be great to run at night?
Ah, I don't have a strong opinion on that. It's hard to image some circuits that historically has been at night, like this one, changing for daytime. And vice versa. I think it's OK as it is. I don't imagine any current races at night.

In Spa I asked Zak about your participation potentially next year at the Indy 500, assuming that you stayed at McLaren, and he was emphatic and said no. He said you would be required to be in Monaco next year because they expected to have better performance and it wouldn't be a situation like this year. A) does that affect your decision in whether you stay or whether you go to another team and B) does that mean, if you do stay at McLaren, temporarily the dream of the triple-crown is put on hold for a while?
The triple-crown is a clear target for me in the future and there are three races there, so if one of those, the Indy 500 is together with Monaco, as we know, there is another one still to complete, so triple-crown is still on going at the maximum speed but yeah, I agree the same thing that Zak said: if I remain in Formula One it's because I believe I can win next year. So, that will ease the decision a lot because I will be in Monaco because I don't want to lose any points there. So, priority if Formula One, as I said before, and winning here, and triple crown is in the background. As I said, there are three races, not only Indy. So, there are many possibilities to do a fantastic 2018.

Fernando, at Monza you were a bit unhappy that Jolyon didn't give you the place back in the battle you two guys were having…
Not with him. That was your theme the week later and the news, that they changed… with all the engine saga. The news turned a little bit. I was not happy with the stewards and the FIA.

Did you talk to the stewards any further, and will you talk to them more in the drivers' meeting?
I will talk tomorrow but there is not much to talk, y'know. I mean, they make a mistake, they know already so there is not much to talk.

Fernando, just following on from what you were saying about Indy next year, not being able to do it, does that mean you're focussing on maybe doing Le Mans next year instead – because I don't believe that does clash with a race?
There is nothing as yet confirmed. As I said, my plans didn't change. I'm waiting for my current team to make up their decisions and after that to negotiate whatever possibilities I have here, which is my first priority, and the triple crown, to win it one day, I think that will put me in a good level of a complete driver that can win in any series at any time. So those objectives are still there. As I said, for my fans and for motorsport lovers, they will have a fantastic 2018 season, so the plan is ongoing and very good news is coming.