Buzzin F1 – Formula One Blog

Fernando Alonso

It has been confirmed today that Fernando Alonso will race alongside Felipe Massa after signing a three-year deal with the Ferrari team from next season.

The Spanish driver will replace Kimi Raikkonen, who is believed to be going to the McLaren team in place of Heikki Kovalainen with Giancarlo Fisichella taking the role of reserve driver.

A statement issued today read;

“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.  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.

Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results, including a great win at Spa. We are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season.”

The announcement was said to have been released earlier than was intended due to the mounting rumours surrounding the Alonso move.

Raikkonen said of his departure;

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

Meanwhile, Felipe Massa has been back on track for the first time since suffering his horrendous injuries at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July.  The Brazilian driver donned his Ferrari overalls as he took to the circuit for a karting event in Brazil.

Massa will continue with his karting laps over the next few days before flying back to the team headquarters to use the Ferrari static simulator.