Williams F1 team prioritising car over superstar driver signing

The Grove-based team, which is understood to have only the fifth-biggest budget in F1, finished third in the constructors' championship for the second successive year last term.

Symonds rates Alonso as "the best driver in the sport" following their title success together at Renault in 2005/06, but has previously suggested the Spaniard would not be the right signing for Williams in its present situation.

Despite Williams having cemented its position back among F1's frontrunners, Symonds maintains its budget can be spent in more relevant ways than on a champion driver's wage bill.

"When I've said it in the past, I didn't meant we couldn't exploit what superstar drivers have got, but they cost money," he told Autosport.

"But at the moment, we are deficient in areas which I would prioritise over a superstar driver.

"So if Alonso came to drive for us, we would make full use of him and we'd work well with him.

"We'd give him what we needed, there's no doubt about it, but if we had to pay his salary, we may not eat for a year."

Williams agreed deals with Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa last year to keep the pair as team-mates for the third successive season.

The duo impressed Symonds to the extent that with a free choice, he would still choose both Massa and Bottas to line up for the team this season.

"I think they are perfect for our team, they work so well together," he said.

"They are such team players and they push each other really hard because they are actually very similar in performance.

"They push each other in a pleasant way and it helps to get the whole team working nicely.

"Honestly, if I had a totally free hand, I'd keep exactly what we have got and it's not often I would say that."