UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Briatore wants Alonso back

Way out of McLaren deal possible?

Aug.28 (GMM) Flavio Briatore openly admitted on Tuesday that he would be delighted to woo Fernando Alonso back to Renault in 2008.

The French team's boss, who brought the Spaniard into formula one in 2001 and still maintains a financial interest in his career, told the Spanish sports newspaper Marca that reigning world champion Alonso was a "far better" driver at Renault.

"You can see that if you are Spanish, I know that -- even the Turks know it," Briatore, an arch-nemesis of Alonso's current McLaren boss Ron Dennis, said.

"It is obvious that I would love to have Fernando back."

Also obvious, Briatore said, is 26-year-old Alonso's unhappiness in 2007, and - asked if he could see him staying at McLaren next year - answered: "I have no idea.

"I love Fernando, but he already has a contract (for 2008)."

Briatore's interview on Tuesday coincides with speculation that Alonso's manager Luis Garcia-Abad might have found a way out of the 2008 McLaren deal.

"If he is free, for whatever reason, and I don't know his contract, but if he is free tomorrow I think Renault, Toyota, Williams, everybody (would be interested)," Briatore concluded.

Written: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:52:55