Fernando Alonso has dropped his most tantalising hint yet that he could be poised for a switch to McLaren-Honda by revealing he “doesn’t think” his 2015 car will powered by a Mercedes engine.

Alonso's uncertain future continues to prove the focus of the driver market in the wake of the bombshell events at Suzuka when Red Bull announced Sebastian Vettel’s departure and it unofficially emerged Alonso and Ferrari had agreed to terminate their relationship two years early.

Who's powering who in 2015? Mercedes: Mercedes, Williams, Force India, Lotus.



Renault: Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Caterham.



Ferrari: Ferrari, Sauber, Marussia.



Honda: McLaren.

Ferrari’s ongoing silence – the Scuderia are yet to confirm either Vettel’s expected arrival or Alonso’s departure – means that, publicly at least, stasis ensues in the transfer market. Nonetheless, with an exit from Maranello now considered inevitable, Alonso has been thought to have three serious options for 2015: McLaren-Honda, Lotus-Mercedes, or a sabbatical.

However, in separate interviews following the Russian GP, Alonso appeared to rule the latter two options out. First hinting that he will remain in the sport in 2015, he told Sky F1 that “my future is already set” and “we are finalising everything”.

Then asked by American network NBC if he would have a Mercedes engine in the back of his car next year, Alonso replied: “I don’t think so.”

Fernando Alonso felt his car lacked the pace to challenge the McLaren's for fourth and was coy on questions surrounding his future. Fernando Alonso felt his car lacked the pace to challenge the McLaren's for fourth and was coy on questions surrounding his future.

Should such a hint prove an accurate indication of Alonso's intentions then it would rule out a move to Lotus as the team confirmed over the course of the Sochi weekend they would switch to Mercedes power units next season.

Lotus are replacing McLaren in the German manufacturers stable, the Woking outfit rekindling their former all-conqeuring partnership with Japanese manufacturer Honda.

The other teams on the grid who won’t be using Mercedes engines in 2015 are Red Bull – who have already confirmed Ricciardo and Kvyat for 2015 - Toro Rosso, Caterham, Sauber, Marussia and Alonso’s existing employers Ferrari.

Alonso is thought to be holding out for a one-year deal to return to McLaren seven years on from his acrimonious single campaign there, which would allow him to keep his options open for 2016 should a vacancy arise with newly-crowned Constructors’ Champions Mercedes.

Still no official news on either man's 2015 plans

Speaking to reporters later on Sunday in Russia, Alonso said people would have to be patient for an announcement on his 2015 plans and that when the news was delivered his decision would seem “obvious”.

“I’m not in a hurry. As I said in Suzuka, I understand the curiosity and the fans [waiting] for the news that can be around the future, but do not worry.

“Relax, enjoy and when it’s time to know it you will know it. My mind is set for the last two or three months. When you know you will understand that probably it was very obvious what I will do.

“I will do the best for my future, the best for the future of Ferrari as well because it has been my priority for the last five seasons to help this fantastic team.”

And, to underline the heightened state of uncertainty that now surrounding the top end of the driver market, Alonso even refused to confirm he was definitely leaving Ferrari: “I didn’t say that and Ferrari didn’t say that. It’s just another rumour.”

But with just three races to go in the 2014 campaign, the rumour mill will stop turning sooner rather than later.

Where does Alonso go for 2015? Assessing the rumour mill

Ron Dennis sees no impediment why Fernando Alonso can’t re-join McLaren Ron Dennis sees no impediment why Fernando Alonso can’t re-join McLaren

McLaren

If Alonso is leaving Ferrari, then a return to McLaren appears increasingly inevitable. However, such a switch appears to rest on whether the two parties can agree on the length of the contract term with Alonso believed to be holding out for a one-year deal.

Lotus

In times of trouble return to what you know? It wouldn’t be the first time that Alonso has sought the sanctuary of Enstone after splitting with an F1 superpower – he did exactly that after his swift exit from McLaren – but the name above the door isn’t the only thing different at Lotus these days from the Spaniard’s two stints there. Nonetheless, speculation that he could bring big sponsors to the team, or come as part of a takeover by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, have abounded in recent weeks.

Take a sabbatical

A scenario that appeared feasible just a week ago at Suzuka – “He is trying to do a one-year deal wherever he goes next year, or even a sabbatical is not out of the question,” was Sky F1 analyst Martin Brundle’s assessment in Japan – lost a little traction in Russia, but until Alonso announces his 2015 plans then a season can’t conclusively be ruled out.

Williams

Showing how F1’s ‘silly season’ knows no limits, rumours continue that Alonso could also be trying to get into a seat at upwardly-mobile Williams for 2015, despite the team seemingly taking themselves out of the transfer market at Monza in September by confirming that Bottas and Massa were both staying on for 2015. Never say never in F1, but highly unlikely all the same.

Stay at Ferrari

Given Sky F1 understands that Ferrari and Alonso mutually agreed to terminate the final two years of the Spaniard’s contract on the Thursday of the Japanese GP, such an option is seemingly already off the table.