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Singapore - Fernando Alonso has urged Renault to stay in Formula 1, saying the automaker is an integral part of the sport's history.
Renault are currently considering whether to buy a team or quit rather than being an engine provider to others.
The automaker currently powers former champions Red Bull and sister team Toro Rosso and there are contracts with both until 2016, although Red Bull are reportedly pushing for an early release.
Renault exit
Renault, who have been involved in F1 since 1977, have been in negotiations with the financially-troubled Lotus team that they previously owned under their own name. Alonso has won both his world championships with Renault.
He said: "It's a very big manufacturer with a lot of history behind Renault in F1. So I think, if they stay as an official team or whatever, if they decide this is best for them, I think this is also good for F1.
"Renault and F1 are quite linked together in the history of this sport, so hopefully they stay."
Although Alonso is now with the Honda-powered McLaren team and was previously with Ferrari, he spent six of his early seasons in F1 driving for Renault, winning the world championship in 2005 and 2006.
Alonso has not won a title since leaving Renault, finishing runner-up on three occasions, and is currently 15th in this year's standings, putting him on course for his worst season since he was a rookie in 2001.
He has scored points in just two of 12 races this season but remains optimistic about his chances in Singapore, a circuit where he won at in 2008 and 2010.
He said: "(If) we try to be as professional as we can, we can have a trouble free weekend hopefully and that will put us in the points."
Alonso joked that the night-time races times in Singapore helped him because staying out late and sleeping in until the early afternoon were part of his regular routine.
He quipped: "This is what I do to in the normal life, so no big change here."