VALENCIA // The Honda boss Ross Brawn will delay announcing his driver line-up for next year until late this season after conceding Fernando Alonso holds the key to the market. Brawn has made no secret of his admiration for Alonso, earlier this month remarking the Spaniard is "one of the top drivers in Formula One". Brawn added: "I think every team apart from one [McLaren] would welcome him. We are no different, but whether it happens, who knows?"
Brawn, though, is refusing to back up Rubens Barrichello's claim this week Honda have already started negotiations with Alonso. The veteran Barrichello, 36, knows his job is on the line should Honda lure Alonso from Renault, in particular with Jenson Button stating he is relaxed about his future. But he now faces an anxious wait because when asked as to when Honda would confirm their drivers for 2009, Brawn replied: "It's not for some time. It's not immediate."
As last year, the double world champion Alonso is making everybody play a waiting game as he decides where he would like to drive. A performance-related clause in his Renault contract allows him to leave should the team not come up to scratch. With the Valencia race the 12th of 18 on the calendar, generally at this stage of the year the majority of teams have confirmed who will occupy the race seats for the following season. So far, only McLaren and Red Bull have done so.
"Alonso's options at Renault are dependent on certain results that have not been achieved, and everyone knows that. When Fernando makes his decision on what he wants to do then a lot of things will slot into place," Brawn said. * PA Sport