McLaren executive director Zak Brown is confident keeping Fernando Alonso with its Formula 1 project for 2018, but has a 'plan B' 👍൲in place should the Spaniard reject a new deal.

McLaren announced on Friday it would be splitting with engine partner Honda after three difficult years, with Alonso making his♛ frustration over the team's lack of performance known on a regul𓄧ar basis.

With a Renault engine deal sewn up for 2018, McLaren is now turning its attention to Alonso, who is out of contract at the end of the season and still considering his options 𒉰for next year.

Brown is happy with how talks are progresꦆsing, believing that Alonso is happy with the work the team is doing and its direction.

"We are very close with Fernando. We had dinner last night – a midnight𒊎 snack or whatever time that was – and he’s very happy wi✤th the direction of the team and the team in general," Brown said.

"He’s one of the highest paid drivers in the sport a𝓰nd for us to retain him, he will continue to be one of the highest paid drivers 𓆉in the sport."

When asked what McLaren would do if Alonso did not re-sign, Brown confirmed there was a back-up plan iᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚn place.

"We’ve got plan B which I’m not going to talk about in place, but I’m confident that we’re going to get there wit💛h Fernando," Brown said, despite conceding ther☂e was a lack of big names available.

"No, but you know what this sport is like. You can so꧋metimes move some pieces around," he added.