Alonso extends contract with Ferrari to 2016

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain in the pit during the third free practice at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, May 7, 2011. The Formula one race will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Ferrari has extended Fernando Alonso’s contract through to the end of 2016 and the Spanish driver said he will finish his career with the Italian team.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said, “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. 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.”

Alonso said Ferrari feels “like a second family. ... 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.”