Fernando Alonso, the reigning Formula One champion, could return to Renault for next season after a turbulent year at McClaren. Flavio Briatore, the Renault team boss, has confirmed offering Alonso his old job back whenever he decides to quit McLaren.

Briatore said: "I told Fernando that the moment he is free from McLaren we would be pleased to have him back. It would be stupid to deny that."

Alonso's relationship with Ron Dennis, the McClaren team supremo, has been severely strained following a furious row between the two men on the morning of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old threatened to reveal details of emails that would incriminate McLaren in the spy scandal unless he was guaranteed number one status within the team.

Alonso has also endured a fractious battle with team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who is poised to take his world title after a stunning win in yesterday's Japanese Grand Prix.

Briatore is convinced Alonso would not have quit Renault if he had been aware he would receive the same treatment as a rookie.

"If, before signing the contract, they told Fernando 'come with us, but you won't have any sort of advantage', he wouldn't have gone," Briatore said. "If you hire a world champion, then you must give him the number one status."

Briatore claims Alonso will be afforded that prestige if he does quit McLaren and rejoin Renault, who helped him win the 2005 and 2006 world championships.

Although Alonso has stated he will stay at McLaren for next year, his position appears untenable, and in particular after Hamilton suggested over the weekend he would be better off at another team.

One potential avenue has been closed after Jean Todt, the Ferrari team manager, laughed off suggestions Alonso will drive for the Italian team next year.

When asked about Alonso's chances of a race seat for 2008, Todt replied: "Zero percent.

"We have two fantastic drivers in Kimi (Raikkonen) and Felipe (Massa). We are very happy with them and they are under contract. I would respect a contract for a guy cleaning the floor, so you can imagine that I will respect a contract with them.

"If we have a contract, we respect it."

Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One supremo, proposed Alonso could take a year off and then join Ferrari in 2009. But Alonso himself has dismissed suggestions of a sabbatical, saying: "That's not in my plans. I want to race - I'm 100 per cent.

"However and wherever, but I enjoy racing and that's what I want. Next year there will be an important change in the rules, with all driver aids removed, so it's a season you have to race. It's important to adapt to the cars, which will basically be completely new."

That further underlines the fact Renault appear his only escape route, although he is ready to endure another torrid scrap with Hamilton should they again be team-mates in 2008.

"If we are not together next year and I have a competitive car, then fine," Alonso said. "But if we have to stay together, we'll have another beautiful fight."

Alonso's chances of a third successive world title are extremely slim after he crashed at a rain-lashed Fuji Speedway, finishing a race without a point for the first time this year.

The Spaniard is now 12 points adrift of Hamilton with just two grands prix remaining in China and Brazil.