Alonso won't quit without third title

Former double world champion Fernando Alonso is sure he will not retire until he adds a third title to his tally.

"I'm more or less convinced about not leaving F1 without becoming world champion again," the Renault driver told the Spanish radio network Cadena SER.

Alonso, 27, won the drivers' titles with the French team in 2005 and 2006, but last year endured a miserable season with McLaren, and in 2008 struggled for most of the season with an uncompetitive Renault.

And although hopeful for the R29, he refuses to rule out a future with F1's most famous team, Ferrari.

Asked about his unrelenting link with Maranello, Alonso said coyly: "A quick answer to that question would not be the right answer."

He is scheduled to test at Jerez next month, and then get at the wheel of the 2009 car late in January.

"Tomorrow I'm going to get my seat fitted for the new car, which takes half a day."

Alonso also took the opportunity to once again play down his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, which is billed as the bitterest in the paddock.

"It's not as bad as it is made out in England and in Spain," he insisted. "I congratulated him for becoming champion, as I did with Kimi as well.

"I told him to enjoy it, he said thanks, that's it," added Alonso.