Well that's the claim Alan Henry is making in The Guardian.

According to Henry; "Alonso is poised to sign a £7.6m deal which will see him drive for Honda alongside Jenson Button next season", before moving on to Ferrari for 2010.

While Honda has suggested in recent weeks that it would break the piggy back in an effort to secure the Spaniard's services, one has to wonder what on earth the Japanese team would gain - other then publicity - by signing the two-time World Champion for a year, effectively giving him a stopping off point en route to Ferrari.

Ignoring rumours such as the house-hunting in Italy, a move to Ferrari certainly makes sense for the Spaniard. But with Raikkonen and Massa both under contract for 2009 what exactly would Alonso do next season, assuming he is to move there in 2010.

On the other hand, Raikkonen's recent lack of form, indeed his whole race weekend demeanour suggests a number of scenarios, one being that he has already made up his mind to quit at the end of this year, another being that he knows Alonso is already on his way.

However, ignoring the speculation over Ferrari, one can see no possible benefit from the Spaniard joining Honda for just one season, if Red Bull wasn't prepared to entertain such a deal why should the Brackley outfit?

Much is expected of Honda in 2009, especially after two dismal seasons in 2007 and 2008, however, is Ross Brawn really prepared to take such a gamble, splashing out on a driver - albeit a great driver - who is merely 'parking his arse' until he gets his hands on a Ferrari.

"We'd love to have him," Brawn has admitted. "Of all the drivers right now, he is the only one that I see as totally complete, as Michael was."

Quite so, but with so many changes to the cars in 2009, is Brawn really willing to take such an expensive gamble?