OFFICIAL: Alonso makes 2019 decision

McLaren have confirmed that two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will not race in Formula 1 in 2019. Alonso has been widely tipped to sign a full-time deal in IndyCar next year as he goes in search of the 'Triple Crown'.

Dear F1 ..... pic.twitter.com/G9ZzdMwgMn — Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 14, 2018

Alonso revealed in a statement that he had come to a decision "some months ago" as his return to McLaren continued to plumb depths of unreliability and poor performance.

Alonso is likely to depart F1 without a grand prix victory in almost six years - a far cry from the career expected from the Spaniard when he burst onto the scene and snapped the dominance of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari in the mid-2000's.

His daring overtake of Schumacher at the 130R corner in the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix was a moment of passing the torch, but Alonso has seen Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton overtake him in terms of accolades and achievements through dominant periods at Red Bull and Mercedes respectively.

If Alonso does indeed make a switch to IndyCar, he will do so with the intention of winning the Indianapolis 500 to add to this year's Le Mans 24 Hours triumph and a pair of Monaco Grand Prix wins, equalling Graham Hill's unique feat in the process.

McLaren have spoken up the possibility of entering a team into the American series next year, although Friday's announcement from the team came without a hint as to what lies next for the 37-year-old.

"Fernando is not only an outstanding ambassador for McLaren but also for Formula 1," CEO Zak Brown said.

"His 17 years in the sport, as arguably the pre-eminent driver of his generation and undoubtedly an F1 great, have added another layer to Formula 1's rich history.

"There is a time for everyone to make a change and Fernando has decided the end of this season to be his. We respect his decision, even if we believe he is in the finest form of his career. Our open dialogue with Fernando has meant we could plan for this eventuality."