Ferrari confirm Alonso signing
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has been confirmed as a Ferrari driver for next year
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By Richard James. |  |
Wednesday, 30, Sep 2009 03:33
By Alistair Potter.
Ferrari have announced the signing of Fernando Alonso on a three-year contract from the beginning of next season to replace Kimi Raikkonen.
The Spaniard will race alongside Felipe Massa, who has missed the second half of this campaign because of an eye injury after being hit by a spring during qualifying for the Hungarian grand prix.
Giancarlo Fisichella, who is currently standing in for Massa, will be the team's reserve driver in 2010.
Alonso has long been linked with the Italian squad - while Raikkonen, who won the drivers' world title in 2007, is expected to be taken on by McLaren in place of fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen after being relieved of his Ferrari contract one year early.
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said he is "very proud" to welcome Alonso, who he described as "a winning driver who has demonstrated his amazing talent by winning two world championships".
Domenicali also thanked Raikkonen for his three years' service at the team, which included constructors' titles in 2007 and 2008 to go with his individual crown two seasons ago.
"Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results, including a great win in Spa and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season," he added.
Raikkonen said the decision was by "common consent", but admitted he was "very sad" to be leaving.
"I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team," he added.
Raikkonen's likely move to McLaren looks set to spark a merry-go-round of seats on the grid for next season, with Kovalainen's future now uncertain and a spare seat also arising at Renault for 2010.
Alonso's deal with Ferrari is rumoured to have been on the table for around 18 months.
And although originally no announcement was due until the end of the season, the contract is thought to have become such common knowledge around the paddock that the team and driver had little option but to confirm it.