Ferrari Confirms Three Year Alonso Deal

TheMentat · TheMentat's Garage

Ferrari confirmed what was probably the worst kept secret in F1 today... there should probably be quite a driver shake-up for next year:

autosport.com - F1 News: Ferrari confirms three-year Alonso deal

Quote:

Ferrari has officially confirmed that Fernando Alonso will replace Kimi Raikkonen in its line-up from 2010, having completed a three-year deal.

The double world champion's move from Renault has been anticipated for many months, and will see him paired with Felipe Massa in the Italian squad's race team.

"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 Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali.

Alonso's arrival is likely to see Raikkonen returning to his former team McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton.

The Finn delivered the world championship for Ferrari in his first season with the team in 2007, but his results have declined since and he will leave the squad a year before his contract had been set to expire.

"Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari," said Domenicali. "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.

"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."

Raikkonen underlined that his departure from Ferrari had been by mutual consent.

"With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule," he said.

"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 per cent 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."

Alonso's confirmation at Ferrari is likely to trigger a series of 2010 driver announcements over the coming days, with the Spaniard's move long tipped as the decision that would allow the rest of the 'silly season' jigsaw to fall into place.

MotoSook · 09-30-2009, 08:34 AM

I really like Kimi but it will be good to see someone with skills and hunger in a red car. I know a lot of fans dislike Alonso, but he's a great driver and car developer. Probably the best on the grid right now. Kimi will get a double payday with his payout from Farrari and perhaps Macca picking him up for 2010-2011.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

They think Massa is coming back? Especially with Alonso now on the team I don't see that going well. My guess is that Massa will be a tick off his old self, so he'll be relegated to pretty obvious 2nd driver status. Considering his near win last year, not sure that would sit well.

Paco Anton · Paco Anton's Garage

I think I'll be watching F1 again next year...

gtc · gtc's Garage

Leave it to Ferrari to corner the market on douchebags. I can't wait to see Massa and Alonso tear into each other.

It will also be good to see Kimi back in a McLaren.

motion · 09-30-2009, 09:26 AM

Alonso is the biggest d-bag in F1. But Massa? What are you thinking?

Jeff Higgins · 09-30-2009, 09:30 AM

Massa is one of the true gentlemen of the sport. I bet Alonso pushes that to the limit, though. I would love to see Felipe win a driver's championship, especially ahead of Alonso in the same car. That would be sweet...

Cornpanzer · 09-30-2009, 09:34 AM

Yep,
Alonso in a Ferrari means that I will be pulling even harder for Massa in 2010.

sammyg2 · 09-30-2009, 09:40 AM

It's a ferrari conspiracy! FIA is playing favorites, they wouldn't let renault or Mclaren get away with that!

Cool, I was hoping I'd beat you guys to that.

Sarc · 09-30-2009, 09:56 AM

herr_oberst · 09-30-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc

Leave it to Ferrari to corner the market on douchebags.

WTF? Alonso, maybe, but Massa? And it seems like FA has been on his best behaviour this year. (might have something to do with last years Singapore race, ha ha)

legion · 09-30-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

Alonso is the biggest d-bag in F1. But Massa? What are you thinking?

Yep, sorry, got to back Motion up here. Alonso is a world-class douchebag. Massa has always come across as classy and driven. I do see there being some friction between Massa and D-bag, but I don't see it as Massa's fault...

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Massa is a class act. Alonso is a great driver but I just don't like him. I guess Fishi is just going to be kicked to the curb. At least he got to drive for Ferrari.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Any word where Raikonnen is going yet?

It'd be great to see him in a McLaren alongside Hamilton but I think they've found their team for the foreseeable future. More likely he'd end up with the new team to replace BMW Sauber or something.

Could be interesting.

F1 is simply mental and darned near impossible to watch right now because of all the soap opera drama and the FIA's constant meddling and interference, but it's juuuuuuuuuuuust interesting enough to get me to pay occasional attention to it.

I still doubt I'd fork out $400 for a ticket to an event though. So if Bernie happens to read this, don't get too full of yourself there bro. Not that I think he particularly cares about the U.S. market anymore.

Neilk · 09-30-2009, 05:13 PM

I hope Ferarri didn't give Alonso de facto #1 status a la Schumacher. Alonso/Massa and Kimi/Louis pairings sound like some great new rivalries could be coming next year.

motion · 09-30-2009, 05:28 PM

Raikkonen is going to McLaren. Heiki is out.

herr_oberst · 09-30-2009, 05:40 PM

I thought that McLaren was looking hard at Nico Rosberg?

have you heard that absolutely Kimi is going to drive for McLaren, or is that a rumor?

legion · 09-30-2009, 05:44 PM

I hope Kimi can regain his fire.

I hope Kovaleinen can find a new home. He is a good driver, just not as good as Hamilton.

I think at this point it's clear that Louis does have some development skills...

MFAFF · 09-30-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

I think at this point it's clear that Louis does have some development skills...

Perhaps.. but as there is NO testing this season its pretty difficult to see how Lewis can have influenced the development of the car...he doesn't drive it from one race week end to another.

The development is all CAD and wind tunnel work...

I think Kimi will be interested in beating Lewis... after the fanastic gesture when Lewis rear ended him at the red light in the pits... lots of fun.
I'd say Kimi will have the upper hand mentally...he has very little to prove and Lewis does....