Alonso confirmed with Ferrari in 2010

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:51 am

At last Ferrari have confirmed that Fernando Alonso will race for the team in 2010 in a 3 year deal.

The Ferrari statement read:

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that it has reached an agreement with the driver Fernando Alonso. The agreement covers three racing seasons, starting in 2010.

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.

Kimi Raikkonen will leave the team at the end of this current season, after what has been a rewarding and fruitful partnership, which saw him win the Drivers’ title in 2007. He also played a key role in Ferrari’s taking of the Constructor’s title that same year and in 2008.

“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 Stefano Domenicali. “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 in Spa and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season.”
“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 Kimi 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.”

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:19 pm

It is time for Alonso to move to a team capable of winning. With all the dramas at Renault, they won't recover any time soon so it is the right move. Ferrari need a consistent driver and Alonso can deliver.
I also think that Alonso and Massa will get along reasonably well so there shouldn't be major dramas there.

I expect at least 2 more Championships from Alonso during his time at Ferrari

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:07 pm

The Renault F1 team issued the following statement following the Ferrari announcement:

Following yesterday's announcement, the Renault F1 Team wishes Fernando Alonso all the best for 2010 and beyond when he will begin the next phase of his career with a new team.

The close relationship that Renault and Fernando have enjoyed has been one of the most successful in Formula One, culminating in back-to-back drivers' and constructors' world championships in 2005 and 2006.

The team and Fernando's focus is now on finishing the season on a high note with some strong results in the remaining races.

An announcement regarding the driver who will be replacing Fernando Alonso at the Renault F1 Team next year will be issued next week.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:15 am

JayVee wrote:It is time for Alonso to move to a team capable of winning. With all the dramas at Renault, they won't recover any time soon so it is the right move. Ferrari need a consistent driver and Alonso can deliver.
I also think that Alonso and Massa will get along reasonably well so there shouldn't be major dramas there.

I expect at least 2 more Championships from Alonso during his time at Ferrari

Your bravery is heroic.

Jim Watt · Post by **Jim Watt** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:31 am

Julian: don't be so hard on Jay Vee! Her favorite driver has absconded to join the evil Scuderia! But the question for Fernando is: does he want some more WDC titles (which he is certainly capable of achieving) or does he want more 'moral victories' wherein he takes a machine anyone else would struggle to finish with and puts it regularly in the points, sometimes even on the podium and sometimes even on the top step?

We have finally achieved such parity (and I hope it stays close next year, too) that the value of the driver is paramount. Look at Sunday's result in Japan: Vettel won the race SIXTEEN places ahead of his team mate; Hamilton, in third was EIGHT places ahead of Kov a whats his face; Raikkonen was SEVEN places ahead of Fisi (an elegant and fast driver when everything is perfect in the car, but not so good when it is a slippery piece of wood like this year's Ferrari) Rosberg in fifth place was TEN places ahead of the Japanese chauffer at his home race!) and Alonso, in ninth place was SIX places better than his new team mate.

Probably, because little Phil is such a good qualifier, Fernando will finish only one or two places ahead of him and, if Kimi goes back to McLaren (I'm praying he doesn't go to Toyota for lots of cash!!) I expect the two of them to swap out about even with maybe (again because of qualifying) a slight edge to the hambone.

I suppose I am so sympathetic to Jay Vee because it looks like my favorite driver will join the evil (for me) silver team with the Merc engines.

So both of us next year will be rooting for a driver in a team we love to hate. What a dilemma!

I'm hoping for a Toyota one-two in Brazil which should seal the title for Jenson. Actually, I think he's doing a rather fine job of handling all the negatives that are being thrown in his direction. Like Webber, he tends to let his driving answer his critics --not that anyone pays the least attention to him...

Cheers, Jim Watt

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:29 pm

My favourite driver has just moved to Ferrari so what am I to do ? Support Hamilton in revenge ?

Of course not!!!!!!!!

Do I like Ferrari ? Certainly not but I won't desert The Cute. Of course not

I support Alonso whichever team he drives for and I am sure that he will be fighting for the championship every year he is at Ferrari.
Yes I am sure next year's Ferrari will not be mediocre

GhoGho · Post by **GhoGho** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:49 am

JayVee wrote:My favourite driver has just moved to Ferrari so what am I to do ? Support Hamilton in revenge ?

Of course not!!!!!!!!

Do I like Ferrari ? Certainly not but I won't desert The Cute. Of course not

I support Alonso whichever team he drives for and I am sure that he will be fighting for the championship every year he is at Ferrari.
Yes I am sure next year's Ferrari will not be mediocre

At least the "cheating" at Ferrari is minor in comparison, why they almost look like Saints.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:21 pm

Julian Mayo wrote:
JayVee wrote:It is time for Alonso to move to a team capable of winning. With all the dramas at Renault, they won't recover any time soon so it is the right move. Ferrari need a consistent driver and Alonso can deliver.
I also think that Alonso and Massa will get along reasonably well so there shouldn't be major dramas there.

I expect at least 2 more Championships from Alonso during his time at Ferrari

Your bravery is heroic.

Jim, Jayvee, in no way was I having a cheap shot. I mean't what I said.
It is so hard when drivers swap seats to teams we don't like, and in V8Supercars, to brands we don't like.
By saying what I said, I was admiring Jayvees ablitiy to rationalise, n stay calm, n focus on the big picture whereas I would have gone outside n kicked the dog, ('cept my dogs can read the weather, n wouldn't come out from under the house to be kicked).
As I have said before, JayVee, I doffs me lid.