Fernando Alonso could potentially be in the running for a surprise return to Ferrari for 2018 just four years after leaving the Italian team.

At the end of 2014, the Spaniard ended a fruitless stint with the Scuderia as they fell foul to the rise of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull, to become part of a McLaren-Honda project that has since been even worse.

No podiums, scarce points and a lot of unreliability has been the story of Alonso's second stint at the British team, which he also joined in something of a shock return after his difficulties with Lewis Hamilton in 2007 and with his contract up at the end of the year, the double world champion is weighing up his options. 

Representatives, along with manager Flavio Briatore, were seen in talks at Renault and Mercedes in Baku this past weekend, but a potential return to Ferrari is now being talked up.

"He always got along with everyone and only had problems with [former Ferrari boss Marco] Mattiacci," Briatore told Italian radio broadcaster Rai.

"In this life, you cannot exclude anything. Fernando is a bit like Senna, who had no problem with any team -- he only needs a car capable of winning."

It is that final point that has become very clear with Alonso stating no risks would be involved in his 2018 decision and Ferrari is enjoying something of a renaissance in 2017 with three wins so far. The former Renault team boss did indicate a move was more likely if McLaren didn't change supplier, believing it to be their only choice for competitiveness.

Another man in favour of a potential switch is former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, who, when asked who he thought the Italian team should sign if they replaced Kimi Raikkonen by Spanish newspaper ABC, replied: "Alonso, of course. He is one of the best F1 drivers of all time."

A major hurdle would be whether Sebastian Vettel, the man who replaced Fernando from 2015, would welcome the 35-year-old back to Maranello.