Honda interested in Alonso if Ferrari not an option

By Alan Baldwin

SILVERSTONE (Reuters) - Honda would be interested in double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso if he wants out of Renault and cannot move to Ferrari, team boss Ross Brawn said on Thursday.

"We are fairly happy with our two drivers, we'll be interested to see what Fernando does," the former Ferrari technical director told Reuters at the British Grand Prix.

"He's a great driver and a world champion. If he chooses not to stay at Renault then I think every team would be interested in what he's going to do. But it's no more than that."

Honda have Brazilian Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button as their drivers this season but neither has a cast-iron contract for 2009, although Button at least is expected to stay.

Alonso, who replaced Button at Renault in 2003, won his titles with the French team in 2005 and 2006 and returned this year after a difficult and fractious season at McLaren.

With Renault struggling to get near to the podium and without a win since 2006, Alonso's future has been under close scrutiny with the 26-year-old Spaniard eager to get back into a winning car.

"The two top teams consistently over the last five years have been Ferrari and latterly McLaren," said Brawn.

"I don't suppose he's got an invitation to go back to McLaren so if he wants a top team berth then I'm sure he's going to be looking very hard at Ferrari.