Alonso to stay at Ferrari until 2016

Ferrari and former two-time Formula One World champion Fernando Alonso have decided to extend the Spaniard's contract with the Maranello based team.

Alonso who nearly claimed a third drivers title in his debut season with Ferrari was already contracted until the end of next season, however with the team also confirming that Felipe Massa's position in the team is safe this week, they have now moved to extend their number one driver's deal with the team until the end of the 2016 season.

'I have the utmost faith in the men and women who work in Maranello and in those who lead them, It is therefore natural for me to decide to extend my relationship in the long term like this, with a team at which I will no doubt end my Formula One career one day.' Alonso told BBC.

The 29-year-old has won five races for Ferrari to date, all coming in last seasons challenge for the 2010 F1 drivers title.

This season Alonso has been consistently average in qualifying, starting fifth in all of this seasons races to date, his best finish was last time out in Turkey where he finished third.

The Ferrari looked better at Istanbul, but still looks a long way behind Red Bull.

'It is a great pleasure to have renewed our agreement with a driver who has always demonstrated a winning mentality even in the most difficult circumstances,' Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told Autosport Magazine.

'Fernando has all the required qualities, both technically and personally to play a leading role in the history of Ferrari and I hope he will be enriching it with further wins very soon.'

No pressure then.