24/04/2005
NEWS STORY
Renault boss Flavio Briatore, whose contract with the French team was extended by a further year on Saturday, has revealed that Fernando Alonso will remain with the team for at least one more season.
Last week, Briatore announced that discussions with the Spaniard, who he manages, were underway and that he was confident that the World Championship leader would remain with Renault.
Although an official announcement has yet to be made, Briatore has now confirmed that the youngster will be at Renault in 2006.
"He is confirmed," the Italian told reporters at Imola, following the first qualifying session for today's race, "but after that, no."
Earlier this week, Ferrari boss Jean Todt denied that the Spaniard is on his team's 'want list'
Briatore also took the opportunity to confirm that the driver current line-up will remain in place next season, which is good news for Giancarlo Fisichella, but bad news for rivals eyeing a possible vacancy within the French team.
"Today we confirm everything," he said. "We are keeping the top engineers, and Fernando and Fisichella. This is the package we have and we are a very strong team and we want to stay together."