Is Fernando Alonso on Red Bull shortlist?

As the teams packed up ahead of the sport's four-week break, the better-established tradition of "silly season" speculation was ignited - and sent Ferrari into denial overdrive. Ferrari claim that Alonso is under contract with them until 2016.

Fernando Alonso

Both Red Bull chief Christian Horner and Alonso avoided direct statements to kill the story when they were confronted with it by reporters and Vettel himself talked openly about the prospect of partnering his Spanish rival.

Horner said: "Any conversations between any of the drivers and any of the parties will always remain confidential... But, of course, there have been quite a few drivers who have expressed an interest in the seat, as you can imagine."

The rumours began after Alonso's representative, Luis Garcia Abad, held a meeting with Horner at the Hungaroring on Friday.

It is believed they discussed the future of junior driver Carlos Sainz Jnr but also mentioned Alonso - known to be disappointed with Ferrari's inability to match Red Bull's pace

"Is he (Alonso) available?" said Horner. "I don't know. You ask him."u00a0