Wednesday 2 July at 13:22 : Fernando Alonso would be welcome at Honda but his preferred employer is Ferrari.

That was the admission this week of Ross Brawn, team principal at the Honda team, whose current drivers are out of contract at the end of 2008.

Amid speculation at Magny-Cours two weeks ago that Brackley based Honda could be Spaniard Alonso's next destination, Brawn now admits that "every team" would be interested in the services of the former double world champion.

"Honda is no different, of course," he is quoted as telling the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell.

"Fernando is a very good driver that everyone would like to have sitting in their car," said Brawn, who until the end of 2006 was technical director at Ferrari.

Brawn, referring to the famous Maranello based squad, continued: "I know what team he would like to go to, everyone does.

"The reality is that, before we can talk seriously with him, the situation with Ferrari must be resolved."

If Alonso, 26, ultimately does go on the market for a different team, Brawn makes it clear that Honda is unfazed that his relationship with McLaren last year ended so badly.

"There would be no problem, not at all; the truth is that it would be a fascinating challenge," he said.

"Broadly speaking, everyone who has worked with him speaks highly of him. With McLaren it was obviously difficult, but the people at Renault regard him very highly," Brawn added.