More evidence Alonso will leave McLaren

(GMM) Reports that Fernando Alonso could be heading back to Renault next year have gathered even more pace.

Bob McKenzie, the formula one correspondent for British newspaper Daily Express, claims that the French team's boss Flavio Briatore "has asked his main sponsor ING for a few more millions" to help bring back the Spaniard following an unhappy single season at McLaren.

Dutch sponsor ING's current Renault deal is reputedly worth about (US) $30 million a year.

McKenzie asserts that the value of ING's required increase to accommodate Alonso in 2008 could be $10m.

The likelihood that the 26-year-old will leave McLaren at the end of the year, despite a solid contract for 2008, had increased yet more on Wednesday with the publication of the World Motor Sport Council transcripts.

McLaren boss Ron Dennis told the Paris hearing less than a week ago that he had not even shared a single word with the reigning world champion since early August.

"The relationship between Fernando and myself is extremely cold. That is an understatement," he added.