Fernando Alonso continues to be linked with a return to Formula 1 despite all the competitive seats currently remaining full for this and the upcoming 2020 season. The Spaniard’s name was again being linked with a return after McLaren confirmed he will be visiting the team at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza this weekend albeit just as an ambassador.

Former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa believes Alonso may not return to the sport in 2020 as it is unlikely there will be a vacancy in one of the top teams. De La Rosa, who worked with Alonso during his time with Ferrari and McLaren, is not ruling out a return but admits the Spaniard’s current focus is on preparing for the 2020 Dakar Rally with the Toyota Gazoo Racing team with whom he recently won the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

"I think there are now very few options for Fernando to return to Formula 1," De la Rosa told Cadena Ser, as quoted on Sports Mole. "Saying there is no chance is not right because we don't know what Vettel or others are going to do, but the truth is that for 2020 it's very difficult.”

"Firstly, maybe Fernando doesn't want it. I think at least this year he wants to concentrate on Dakar. But secondly, I don't know if there will be any quality seats for him,” the Spaniard added. "That's the reality."

Alonso quit F1 at the end of the 2018 season but has not officially retired from the sport keeping the door open for a return. He has since focused on other forms of motorsport including sports car racing and IndyCar. He is keen to compete in the Indy 500 race but his 2019 attempt was foiled when he along with McLaren failed to qualify for the race.

One thing is certain, Alonso will only return to F1 if he gets a winning car and de la Rosa admits that there could be a vacancy at Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull in 2021 with Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton reaching the end of their deals. Moreover, the veteran Spaniard believes Alonso deserves to return and win a third F1 Drivers’ world championship.

“2021? Well, he's not going to suddenly stop being one of the best drivers in the world. Purely as an outsider, my wish is for him to return,” de la Rosa said. “For me, he cannot stop without winning another world championship.”