Hamilton hopes Alonso will fight for title in 2018

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton on Thursday said he hoped McLaren driver Fernando Alonso would fight for the Formula One title in 2018.

The two-time world champion Alonso has been struggling with his Honda this season, collecting just 10 points with 7 races to go, amid rumors of an imminent split between McLaren and the Japanese car manufacturer, reports Efe news agency.

"I hope that he's got a car to fight with us next year," said Hamilton at a press conference ahead of the Singapore GP.

"I think not only we expect a challenge, but we want to see the best drivers in the best teams up there and it's been a shame not to have McLaren where they historically have been," the 2017 Driver Standings' leader and three-time world champion added.

Hamilton said that heading into the race with a three-point lead over his main title rival, Ferrari's German driver Sebastian Vettel, was very important.

He also predicted that Red Bull would provide a challenge this weekend.

--IANS

sam/dg