McLaren open to Alonso return

Although the Spaniard is contracted to Ferrari until 2016, Alonso's position at Ferrari has been cast in doubt after a couple of high-profile public spats with the team and the potentially-destabilising appointment of Kimi Raikkonen as his team-mate.

Alonso's solitary season at McLaren in 2007 ended in bitter acrimony and a swift divorce, but the two perceived catalysts for the friction, Ron Dennis and Lewis Hamilton, are no longer based at McLaren, and, despite this year's downturn in form, the team have considerable appeal in the shape of Mercedes engines for 2014 and a long-term deal with Honda thereafter.

Nor is Whitmarsh making any attempt to deny that McLaren wouldn't welcome Alonso back with open arms if the Spaniard could be persuaded to depart Ferrari.

"Yes, if I could," the McLaren chief confirmed to Sky Sports News when asked if he would bring the two-time World Champion back to Woking. "Most teams up and down the pitlane would happily sign Fernando Alonso, he's a very talented driver.

"I expect our driver line up for next year to stay the same but we are open to anything and in the long-term he would be a great asset.

"Fernando is in charge of his own destiny, but we'll see."

On Thursday, both Button and Perez assured reporters that they would be staying on. Button's reassurance was particularly emphatic with the Englishman telling Sky Sports News "it's done". Yet far from muting speculation, the absence of official confirmation from McLaren that both Button and Perez had signed contract extensions instead sparked a fresh wave of paddock gossip.

With Whitmarsh now openly declaring his interest, the ball would now seem to have been firmly put back in Alonso's court.