Renault have given the biggest hint yet that their driver, Fernando Alonso, won’t be with them much longer, when, after finishing third in last night’s Singapore Grand Prix, they admitted that they were going to miss the Spanish racer.

Speaking to French television after the race, Renault managing Director, Jean François Caubet, paid tribute to the driver who has won two world titles with them in recent years as well as saying what can only be described as a heartfelt goodbye...

"It is a great pleasure to be back at the highest level and I thank the team for its incredible work,” he said. “The team knew how not to fall apart and I think we're a top team again. Alonso is a great champion, he clocked the fastest lap in race, he did the most of the strategy and fight til the end. I think Renault will always be his family. We will miss him but he will miss us too."

In the post race conference Alonso dedicated his finish to the now disgraced ex-team boss, Flavio Briatore, something that would not have gone down well with the French based squad and a further indication that he is on his way out of the team...

“I dedicate this podium to Flavio (Briatore) at home as he is part of the success we had today.”

Now all we need is for Ferrari to confirm one of the worst kept secrets in the sport and the cycle will be complete.