Renault's double world champion Fernando Alonso said he expects to decide his Formula One future after September's Italian Grand Prix.

"I think (I will make the decision) after the summer when all this period of races, then the break and then Belgium and Monza are over," the Spaniard told reporters at the British Grand Prix.

"They are very important races for us to try to get this fourth position in the constructors' championship," he added. "And after that will be time to think about what the possibilities are for next year."

For the second year running, Alonso is a central figure in the driver merry-go-round as interested teams await his decision before finalising their driver line-ups.

Last year, after his well-documented fallout with McLaren, his return to Renault was finalised only after the end of the season.

Honda have openly expressed an interest should the 26-year-old decide to leave the French team while Renault-powered Red Bull, currently outperforming their engine providers, are also watching with interest.

Champions Ferrari would undoubtedly be Alonso's first choice, followed by BMW Sauber, although the Italian team have world champion Kimi Raikkonen and championship leading Brazilian Felipe Massa under contract for 2009.

The Autosport website reported that Alonso was believed to be free to move if Renault failed to finish third or higher in the championship. Renault are currently seventh with 12 points, 46 behind third-placed McLaren.