As the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix weekend got underway, with the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton topping the times for Friday’s practice session, another story was developing. Unlike the typhoon that was predicted to hit the region, Fernando Alonso’s future at Ferrari continues to draw strength from a swirl of unconfirmed rumors and speculation. The main rumor doing the rounds is both Honda and McLaren, who renew an engine partnership in 2015, are desperately trying to sign Alonso from Ferrari, from behind the scenes. Despite leaving McLaren at the end of the 2007 season, after just one season into a three year contract, and falling out with Ron Dennis, Alonso might just be tempted to return if the conditions are right. At a pre- event gathering Alonso was asked about his current Ferrari contract. “That’s a very difficult question to answer, I will do the best for Ferrari.” he responded. Eddie Jordan, the BBC F1 chief analyst gave his view on BBC Sport “Honda and McLaren want to hit the ground running. They want Alonso or Sebastian Vettel and it’s possible both could wind up there. There are moves happening as we speak and possible scenarios that by the end of October there could be a change of management and of drivers in that team.” Alonso’s frustration at not having won a championship with Ferrari is an open secret, as are Ferrari’s frustration with Alonso refusing to commit his future to them. However Alonso said “I always put the interest of the team and the interest of the tifosi (fans) – this big brand Ferrari that is bigger than all of us – in front of my own interest”. “I have been in here five years giving everything on the track and the numbers speak for themselves. “Outside the track – sometimes it is public, sometimes not – but my priority is always the best interest of Ferrari. “I am not living out of the world and I am aware of all the rumours that come out. It is not helping. “We are in the middle of a fight with Williams for third place in the constructors’ championship. It is not easy and this is the first priority for me now – at the track, help the team. “And the second priority will be my future if there is anything to talk about because there is no news from last year, from this year, from July, September, now we are in October and there is no news but there are many rumors, so we see.” Fernando is at the center of a drivers market storm, his contract with Ferrari runs out in 2016 and when he decides his future the future of other drivers will also be confirmed, if Alonso does leave Ferrari early then the Italian squad’s plan B is to go for Sebastian Vettel.