Planet-F1

'Honda ready to lure Alonso'

Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Honda have reportedly joined the long queue of teams who want to sign double World Champion Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard's future at Renault remains unclear after he refused to commit himself to the French squad for the 2009 season.

Alonso has also been linked with moves to Red Bull and BMW, but it is believed he has already signed a deal with Ferrari.

However, a possible move to the Scuderia is only likely to materialise at the end of next year as both their drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, have contracts for next season. But it is widely being reported that Raikkonen will retire at the end 2009.

The Telegraph reports that Honda team bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry 'have made Alonso a name-your-price offer'.

The Japanese squad believe the possibility of linking up with Brawn, the man who nurtured Michael Schumacher at Benetton and Ferrari, and their strong financial muscle will be big drawcards for Alonso.

Honda, though, 'are not interested in a temporary arrangement and hope to convince the youngest race winner and World Champion in F1 history that his future would be in better hands with them', the report adds.

Fry told Autosport over the weekend: "I don't think it is sensible to hire anybody for a year, regardless of who they are. I don't think it is anything specific to Fernando. In my view, it's too short a period to integrate a driver and get the full benefits.

Brawn last week claimed that Honda have tied both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello down for the 2009, but he later retracted his comments after Barrichello denied that he has signed a contract.

Related Links
Kimi retirement talk just won't go away
Brawn backtracks on driver line-up