Ferrari has announced a three-year deal starting next season with 2005 and 2006 World Champion Fernando Alonso. The confirmation of such an agreement has been widely expected for several weeks.
Kimi Raikkonen, although his contract covered the 2010 season, will no longer be a Ferrari driver.
“The Scuderia’s driver line-up next season will therefore be made up of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, with Giancarlo Fisichella in the role of reserve driver,” Ferrari’s statement reads.
Alonso will therefore leave Renault at the conclusion of the present season, having won both his drivers’ titles and secured two constructors’ championships with the French manufacturer’s team.
Although he described his years with Renault as being “fantastic” and wishes his soon-to-be former team the best of luck, it is no secret that the Spaniard has been eyeing a move to Ferrari for some time.
“I am delighted and very proud to become a Ferrari driver,” he said. “Driving for Ferrari is a dream for anyone who takes part in this sport, and today I am lucky enough to realize that dream.”
Alonso also revealed that the initial agreement established last summer planned for a move in 2011, not next year, but the situation changed over the last few days and the switch was brought forward to 2010.
Ferrari was very keen to bring 28-year-old Alonso aboard, as it has long been obvious that both parties share a mutual interest.
“We are very proud to welcome to our team another winning driver, who has demonstrated his amazing talent by winning two World Championships in his career to date,” said Team Principal Stefano Domenicali.
2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will complete the three remaining races of the season with Ferrari before making place for Alonso.
“Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari: in his first year with us, he managed to win the Drivers’ title, thus making his contribution to Ferrari’s history and he played a vital role in our taking of the Constructors’ title in 2007 and 2008,” team boss Domenicali said, also pointing out Raikkonen’s victory in Belgium this year in what is a difficult season for the team.
“With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule,” said Raikkonen. “I am very sad to be leaving a team with which I have spent three fantastic years, during which time I won plenty of races. Together, we have won 50% of the world titles in that period and I managed to take the Drivers’ title in 2007, thus achieving the target I had set myself at the start of my career.
“I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team,” Raikkonen concluded.
It is speculated that the Finn may return to McLaren, which shares with Ferrari the Spanish bank Santander as a sponsor. Santander reportedly played a major role in Alonso’s arrival at Ferrari and contributed to Raikkonen’s rumoured transfer back to McLaren, where he would replace countryman Heikki Kovalainen.
A spokesman for McLaren indicated: “As is already in the public domain, Lewis Hamilton is contracted until the end of the 2012 season. As regards the identity of our other driver for 2010 and beyond, we have not yet made a decision.”
The announcement of Fernando Alonso’s destination for the next few years should now open the vanes of the drivers’ market, with a cascade effect leading to further driver confirmations from other teams in the coming days and weeks.
Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International
via F1-Live
