Many possibilities open to Alonso

(Scuderia Ferrari SpA via Twitter)

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso has confirmed that he has many possibilities open to him as to what he did next season following the news that reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel will leave Infiniti Red Bull Racing at the end of the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ following qualifying for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix the Spaniard revealed that he has a plan in place and that he has known for the past two or three months what he wants to do next season and that he will announce in time what that will be. Infiniti Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner revealed on Saturday that Vettel was leaving the team for a new challenge revealing that he was heading to Ferrari next season.

This immediately lead to speculation that he would be replacing Fernando Alonso at the Italian outfit as the Spaniard is rumored to be growing increasingly impatient with the Ferrari having failed to win a championship with the team in five year's at Maranello.

It has been suggested that the Spaniard may be on his way to McLaren Honda for next season with Mercedes non executive chairman Niki Lauda revealing to Sky Sports F1 HD that the Spaniard's contract with the Italian team was terminated by mutual consent on Thursday which allowed Vettel to make his announcement this morning.

Speaking to Rachel Brookes from Sky Sports F1 Alonso stated:

'I still have not decided completely. I have a plan in my head, I have had my mind set for the last two or three months, I have the privileged position because more or less I can choose wherever I want to go in the moment that I want to go.'

It has been reported that the 33 year old Spaniard could potentially take a sabbatical from Formula One next season to pursue other interests outside of the sport, however this appears to be extremely unlikely. 

It had also been reported this week that Honda were prepared to buy Alonso out of his Ferrari contract in order to secure his services at McLaren however if the Spaniard has indeed reached his own settlement with Ferrari to leave the team then there would be no reason for Honda to pay out compensation to the Italian team particularly as if as expected, Sebastian Vettel does indeed join Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari having a four time world champion in their stable could help the Italian team to secure new lucrative sponsors particularly if Santander were to move on with Alonso back to McLaren.

Alonso concluded by telling Sky F1:

'There are many possibilities. I want to do one thing for many months. I want to win. I want to be World Champion. I want to work professionally I did all my career. I need to be happy, I need many things if we put together it goes to one direction. And that direction probably moved the market as it is doing now.'

With Vettel being replaced at Infiniti Red Bull Racing by Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat it has started the domino affect. Another driver who  could potentially be on the move is Sahara Force India's Nico Hulkenberg with the German rumored to be nearing a deal to joi the World Endurance Championship next season.

Such a move appears highly UNLIKELY as Sahara Force India team boss Dr Vijay Mallya revealed that his team were more then likely set to retain the consistent points scorer, Hulkenberg along with Sergio Perez for 2015. 

As it is Hulkenberg is tied down to the Silverstone team for another two years and has had a fantastic season so far in 2014 and is currently in eighth place in the championship on 72 points equal with McLaren's Jenson Button and ahead of Sahara Force India team mate Sergio 'Checco' Perez by 27 points and is two place's ahead of the Mexican in the championship.

© Ben Johnston 2014