Briatore 'not considering' Alonso release

Renault boss Flavio Briatore has said it is highly unlikely that he will release Fernando Alonso early from his contract with the team - despite late attempts by McLaren to get him in their car this week.

McLaren had told reporters last week that they would make a last-ditch bid to get hold of Alonso early, because his current deal with Renault does not run out until December 31.

"We'd like Renault to recognize everything that he's done for them and release him (Alonso) to come and test for us," said McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh. "We have requested it and if they said yes, we could do it."

However, despite that vow, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has revealed that McLaren never spoke to him - and made it clear that he has not even considered an early release for Alonso. He was speaking to students at Milan's Bocconi University.

"I think McLaren got the wrong address," Briatore was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "If they wanted Alonso they should have spoken with Renault, not with the journalists.

"In any case I haven't yet thought about this possibility, I don't think it's so important for the fate of the world. I send my wishes to Fernando to spend a merry Christmas and a relaxing winter, because when spring comes we'll beat him soundly!"

McLaren have yet to confirm who will test for the team at Jerez in Spain this week, the final test of the year.