20 May 2011

Alonso staying at Ferrari

6:41 pm on 20 May 2011

The Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has signed a new deal with Ferrari that will keep him with the Italian team until the end of the 2016 season.

The announcement comes just over a year into the three-year deal Alonso signed when he initially joined Ferrari.

In signing such a lengthy deal, Alonso is convinced he will now remain with Ferrari for the rest of his F1 career.

Alonso, who will compete in his home Grand Prix in Barcelona this weekend, earned his and Ferrari's first podium finish of the season at the Turkish Grand Prix earlier this month, finishing third behind Red Bull duo Vettel and Mark Webber.

The result means he trails the German world champion Sebastian Vettel by 52 points after four races of the 2011 season.

Since winning the world championship with Red Bull, Vettel has spoken of his desire to drive for Ferrari in the future.

Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa's contract ends next season.