McLaren boss Zak Brown, says he won't open contract talks with Fernando Alonso till at least the mid-season.
Despite a poor start to the season, Brown is hopeful these performances can improve and that Alonso can stay with McLaren for some time.
"We want him to continue here for many years and we want him to continue at McLaren," he said
"Formula 1 is his passion, but he's been doing it a long time and he's achieved everything. So we'll see.
"But he loves McLaren, the work we do, everything. I don't think he was this happy at another team.
"We'll sit down in the middle of the year and see. He will see how the car develops and the further improvements we are going to bring.
"I think Fernando's heart is in Formula 1 and at McLaren. He wants to win."
Neither McLaren driver is signed up for 2019, with Alonso's teammate Stoffel Vandoorne under pressure from young Brit Lando Norris from Formula Two.