A spokesman for the Spanish arm of the German manufacturer BMW has admitted that Fernando Alonso is in talks to switch to the BMW-Sauber F1 team in 2009.

Figures in the Monza paddock over the weekend were careful to play down or sidestep the raging speculation about the Spaniard's future.

But Gigi Corbetta, communication director for BMW Spain, told Spanish radio that talks are taking place.

"And the news of the renewal of Raikkonen (at Ferrari) has accelerated the process," Corbetta is quoted as saying by the Spanish newspaper Marca.

"Now it is necessary to wait until the end of the season."

27-year-old Alonso, meanwhile, confirmed that his future is not due to be clarified before the Singapore grand prix in two weeks.

Source: GMM