From GMM

Fernando Alonso has a solid hint that he has finally decided against all other offers in order to remain at Renault in 2009.

The former double world champion, in conversation with journalists from his native Spain, sounded confident that the French team can overcome its problems to be stronger next year.

"The problems with our current car are poor adaptation to the Bridgestone tyres, a few tenths behind with the engine, and an aerodynamic deficiency," Alonso, 27, said.

"But they are all problems we have solved to a great extent during the championship. We started the year in eleventh or twelfth positions and a second behind BMW, and now we are ahead of them.

"Looking ahead to next year, hopefully everything will be in place to fight for the championship."

Alonso also smiled at team boss Flavio Briatore's recent claim that the Renault budget is set to increase by as much as 40 per cent.

"I don't know if that is true or not," he said.

"There have been moments this season where Flavio makes statements to confuse people, perhaps including myself," Alonso explained. "But I take it neither seriously nor as a joke.

"Renault is a team that tries not to waste as much money as the other teams. They have a smaller budget than the top teams, but the same was also the case when we won the titles.

"If the budget goes up, it will be good and the team will improve, but that is not something that will influence my decision about 2009 one way or another," Alonso said.