Hamilton hopes Alonso will fight for title in 2018

Marina Bay, Sep 14: 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.