Brown: Alonso can stay with McLaren for the next five years

Amid clear indications that Fernando Alonso is reaching the end of his tether with he situation at McLaren, largely due to a woefully inadequate Honda power unit, the team’s chief Zak Brown has showered the Spaniard with praise and an offer to remain with the team for the next five years.

Speaking to Spanish media Brown, after a highly disappointing Australian Grand Prix for the team, said, “He’s very motivated and fit — he has five years ahead of him if he wants it. I’m very keen for him to stay and I think he will if we give him a car.”

“No one is more desperate to win than Fernando. He has behaved impeccably. He has said what he feels because the facts are the facts and he is the best driver in the world,” added Brown.

The American no doubt speaking with reference to Alonso’s headline grabbing criticism of Honda after preseason testing and during the weekend in Melbourne.

Indeed his good friend Mark Webber has suggested that Alonso will not see out the whole year should the situation remain the same. Report here>>>

For now Alonso insists that he is in it for the long haul with McLaren, and said on the eve of the season opener in Australia, “I have to go? And where am I going? What would I do at home? I start cooking or I’d be on the couch watching TV? The solution is to work hard and demand a response from the team.” Report here>>>