Briatore would welcome Alonso back

Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso would be welcomed back to Renault with open arms, team boss Flavio Briatore has said

Alonso won back-to-back world titles with the French team before moving last year to McLaren where he has endured a turbulent season and an uncomfortable relationship with rookie team mate Lewis Hamilton.

"I can't deny that I think Fernando is great but he has a contract with someone," Briatore said in an interview with sports daily Marca on Tuesday.

"He is very special. We had a special relationship at Renault and it was always transparent. Although he signed for McLaren we continue to be friends.

"Of course I would love to have him in the team, I think everyone would want Fernando because he is exceptional."

The flamboyant Italian multi-millionaire did not want to comment on the problems Alonso has been having at McLaren, nor on whether he thought the Spaniard would see out his contract with them.

However, when the interviewer told him most Spaniards thought Alonso would be better off still at Renault, Briatore responded: "So do I. You don't have to be Spanish to think that."

Alonso finished third at the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul on Sunday to close the gap on leader Hamilton to five points in the world championship.