McLaren have admitted that Fernando Alonso could take a sabbatical in 2016 after the Spaniard failed to completely rule out the suggestion.
The 34-year-old has endured a miserable time since rejoining the British team last year, after Honda's new engines proved unreliable and lacking power.
Chairman Ron Dennis says that the team are open to the idea of a break for Alonso, all depending on whether improvements are made in winter testing.
"I have an open mind to anything - and some of the ideas have involved those sorts of considerations, sabbatical years," Dennis told reporters.
"When we have to take the decision we will take it together. At this moment of time our drivers for next year are Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button."
Alonso has two years left remaining on his current deal with McLaren.
