Fernando Alonso has signed a new deal with Ferrari that will keep him with the team until 2016.

The Spaniard joined Ferrari little over a year ago having penned a three year contract, and now the Italian team have moved to secure the services of the double world champion for the next five seasons.

I am very happy to have reached this agreement,” he said after committing his future to Ferrari.

“I immediately felt comfortable within Ferrari and now it feels to me like a second family.”

While Alonso was involved in a five way battle for the World Championship it has not all been plain sailing for the former McLaren driver since he joined the Scuderia at the start of the 2010 season.

Alonso was at the centre of controversy after he apparently benefitted from team orders last year which were illegal at that time. Team-mate Felipe Massa was seemingly given a coded message to step aside and allow the Spaniard into first place at the 2010 German Grand Prix, who then went on to win his first race since taking the chequered flag at the opening race of the season in Bahrain.

The 29-year-old was eventually pipped to the title by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel last time round before a disastrous start to the 2011 campaign has left him 52 points behind the German in the championship after just four races.

“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.” - Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo

However his first podium finish of the season at the Turkish Grand Prix two weeks ago following a series of updates gave an indication that Alonso and Ferrari could still have their say in destination of this year’s title.

With Alonso’s new contract expiring when he is 34, the driver who has had spells at Renault and Minardi believes he will end his career with Ferrari.

“I have the utmost faith in the men and women who work in Maranello and in those who lead them,” he commented.

“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.”

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was delighted after Alonso signed on the dotted line, and praised his positive influence on the team.

He said: “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 will now switch his attention to competing in his home race when the Spanish Grand Prix gets underway this weekend in Barcelona.

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