Fernando Alonso has said he rejected “four or five” different approaches from Red Bull including two earlier this year before the Spaniard called time on his F1 career.

The build-up to this weekend’s Belgian GP has featured plenty of controversy as the two-time world champion stated that he was offered Daniel Ricciardo’s seat after the Australian opted to join Renault next season.

Formula E have been making a strong push to sign the Spanish enigma but the 37-year-old has made it evidently clear that he is keen to pursue the final jewel of the Triple Crown by claiming the Indianapolis 500 title.

Having won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2006 and 2007, and the Le Mans 24-hour race in June, the 37-year-old only requires a victory at the Indy 500.

Red Bull remain adamant that they have not approached Alonso since 2007 which has motivated the Spaniard to react and clear the air.

“I turned down four or five offers from Red Bull, I had other offers as well,” said Alonso, explaining why he didn't accept their approaches.

“I don’t think my targets or challenges for next year were F1 anymore.

“The offers I had, including the one from Red Bull, they were not for winning.

“They are all probably, on performance, more than one second from pole position, as we saw in qualifying here in Belgium.

“To be fifth or sixth or seventh will not be the same challenge or enthusiasm as I can find away from F1 in 2019.

“I made my decision a couple of months ago and I’m extremely happy with that.”

While Alonso is not alone in doubting Red Bull’s ability to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari next season, he claims to have been offered drives in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013, which means rejected the Milton Keynes-based outfit during their golden spell where they won four double titles from 2010-2013.

“I was happy at Ferrari,” Alonso said.

“We were maybe not winning the championship, and it seems like we were not competitive and a long time not winning, but we were second three times.

“In all the offers I had after that, I still had Ferrari in my heart and I believed the following year was the good one.

He went on to explain that he snubbed Red Bull initially because the team was still growing and not in contention to win.

Alonso stated another offer came when he was already on the brink of signing for Ferrari for the 2010 season.

“It was a little bit of a stressful time,” he said.

“I had like four days to decide, and I was talking quite seriously to Ferrari.

“At that time I thought Ferrari was the safest thing and the best choice for the future.

“I’m still proud to make that decision. If you have a crystal ball maybe you change opinion, but if not you will not say no to Ferrari.”