Fernando Alonso will end career with Ferrari

The Spaniard said he could also be open to competing beyond 2016, when his current contract, , runs out.

Alonso currently leads the 2012 drivers' championship, although his advantage was eroded to 24 points following his first corner exit at Spa, while Ferrari sit fourth in the constructors' standings.

"I finish my contract for 2017, and at the moment I think it is still too early to be sure what my feelings and my motivation will be then," Alonso said.

"If I am still motivated and hungry still I would love to continue, and if I do it would only be with Ferrari for sure.

"If at that time I feel it is time to stop and have a different life it will be a decision I make that year.

"I have been racing for so many years, it is a very demanding life and sport, but I know that one day the time to stop will arrive. We will see when that day comes."

Alonso said he bore Romain Grosjean no ill feeling for his early exit from the Belgian Grand Prix, explaining that he had accepted the Frenchman's apology.

Asked if he had heard from Grosjean, Alonso said: "Yes. I have a very good relationship with Grosjean, we were team-mates at Renault and after the accident he sent me a SMS.

"He didn't calculate the distance and the problems, it was many factors together and he felt so sorry for the accident.

"I answered 'no problem.' We will see each other again in Singapore, it was all fine.

"My engine is fine, no problem or damage, so now we have another fresh engine compared to [my] main rivals.

"It's not a big performance gain, but it is always nice from a driveability point of view."