Zoom Honda and Renault keen to land Alonso for 2009

Honda Chief Executive Nick Fry on Saturday admitted that Fernando Alonso is holding up the Japanese team's driver plans for 2009, without actually naming the Spaniard.

The Brackley-based squad hosted its usual pre-Japanese Grand Prix press conference in the week, where it was expected next year's driver line-up would be announced. But Fry said at Fuji Speedway that Honda is not ready.

"We want to announce both drivers at the same time, and at the moment we're not in a position to do that because we're awaiting a yes or a no from a certain person," he told the British broadcaster ITV.

"So until we get that we're just going to hang on. "

Pressed for confirmation that the 'certain person' is former champion Alonso, Fry replied: "You're a good guesser."

It is expected that, if signed, Alonso would partner Jenson Button next year rather than the Briton's current team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

"We'll announce that when we announce both drivers," Fry explained.

Source: GMM
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