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Alonso signs for Ferrari - 2010?

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Alonso signs for Ferrari

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20397.html

The word in the F1 paddock in Monte Carlo is that Fernando Alonso has just inked a deal to drive for Ferrari in 2010.

No confirmation is expected for a year, and there may be denials of any arrangement, as there would obviously be some serious knock-on effects for other parties in the F1 paddock.

Alonso went to Renault this year after splitting with McLaren unexpectedly at the end of last season. It was a stop-gap solution for the Spaniard, although it was dressed up as the big return to the team with which he won his two World Championships. This year the team's performance has been rather disappointing and Fernando has scored just nine points, while Nelson Piquet has failed to score and the team is languishing in seventh place in the Constructors' Championship. Unless there is a dramatic improvement soon the team will have no hope of finishing the year better than fourth in the championship and there have been rumours for some time that ING may be looking around at other opportunities.

Fernando has made no secret of the fact that he will consider other offers if they are sensible. He has been angling for a ride at Ferrari for some time. It may seem that is a rather premature move, but these days in F1 deals are being done much earlier than used to be the case. Kimi Raikkonen's deal with Ferrari, which began in 2007, was first reported as being done as early as October 2005. Alonso's 2007 deal with McLaren was announced in December 2005. Thus now would be the time that deals are being done for 2010.

Alonso deal done?

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/news/163777-0/alonso_deal_done.html

Despite recent comments suggesting that the Spaniard would not be welcome at Maranello following his acrimonious departure from McLaren, Ferrari may yet have clinched a deal to bring Fernando Alonso on board the season after next.

That is the rumour doing the rounds in Monaco just hours before qualifying for the biggest race of the 2008 season - although, as with a lot of whispers in Formula One, the detail remains sketchy while no-one is prepared to confirm or deny the speculation.

Naturally, neither Ferrari or Renault was prepared to comment on the rumour, which first appeared on grandprix.com, but Alonso has made no secret of the fact that he wants to be back in a race-winning car next season, and that does not look likely where he is at the moment.

Although it would appear that the Spaniard would have to stay put at Enstone for another season while various contracts are sorted out, it now looks likely that the much-hyped relationship with Ferrari could be on the cards.

It is widely understood that the double world champion has a get-out clause in his Renault deal that would allow him to walk away should the team not finish in the top four in this year's constructors' championship, but both Felipe Massa - the most likely victim of any switch - and Kimi Raikkonen have deals with Ferrari for next season.

Not that Massa is the necessarily the one that could be replaced by the Spaniard, for Raikkonen has made often said that he does not intend to be in Formula One long term, and a second - or third - world title could be the impetus for him to bow out at the top. The Finn currently heads the 2008 standings, but Massa is making a play for the title for a second successive year, and taking the crown would no doubt add to the Brazilian's value at Maranello.

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  1. Alonso is a great driver, but I'm not sure he would fancy competing against Raikkonen, or even Massa. There is a chance he could leave, so that would allow Alonso the chance of a move. For me, Raikkonen's career has been slightly disappointing. He wasted is time at McLaren, and although he now seems to have shown more effort at Ferrari, his retirement would be typical of is former self. Not many people have been gifted with the speed Raikkonen has, it's a real shame that he could throw it away completely.


  2. I won't believe it until Fernando himself or the team confirms it themselves!

  3. I hope this isn't the case, 2 championship contenders rarely work well together in a team,

    Alonso- Hamilton

    Raikkonen- Montoya

    Prost- Mansel

    Prost- Senna

    N. piquet- Mansel

    G. Villneuve- Pirioni....etc,

    they often end up causing heartache, limit development and knock points off each other, limiting constructors championship and drivers champ possibilities. Not a good idea for Alonso, Ferrari and F1 in general.

  4. Interesting, maybe it ties in with the Alonso to BMW rumour that I heard today, with Heidfeld being the loser there as he would have to drive the gaily painted Renault.

    So another year as a stop gap at BMW before he goes off to the red team..hm mm.

  5. He sounded very dissapointed, and even through the visor you could see he had that deep misty look.

    Anyway, I find Alonso did a great job to place the Renault into Q3, and even better that he was able to improve within. The Renault has been poor all weekend in Monaco... mainly oversteer. Which in the end also compromises turn exits.

    If its true then next year shall be Kimi's last in F1

  6. dont confirm until it really happens

  7. who will get cut?

    I think it might be massa

  8. ^^^ as julian said right !!!

    hmmm this has happened before.

    nothing is official until its on the official F1 website.

    also Ferrari said that Alonso would never where red.

    world champions on one team ? no don't think so !!! it would be disaster !!!

  9. Yadda yadda yadda! All the denials and no comments, but god it would be terrific fun!

    never say never

  10. I gave it some thought and...

    since his unpleasant departure from Mclaren, I'm sure Alonso's the one driver on the grid right now mostly determined to nail them as soon as he gets the chance. And he is one the most complete drivers out there (if not the most). So, if Mclaren and Lewis actually do become the force to beat in the next 1-2 yrs, then I'm sure this is going to be taken into acct. by the guys at Maranello.

    I'd hate to see them boot Felipe though  and Kimi is just too impressive, albeit not as complete as Alonso... so let's say, if Kimi retires then.... Bienvenuto Fernando !

  11. Thanks for the feedback - i have not been following Formula 1 for a long time & now i know whats going on.

    Excellent.... However, i will like to see Fernando Alonso win as many circuit tracks for the future bc, Fernando Alonso has nothing to lose but win.

  12. the day alonso joins ferrari will be the day i cease to be a ferrari and f1 fan.

  13. After hearing his comments on the pit radio during Q3 where he sounded totally dejected, I wouldn't be surprised if this happens.

  14. i thought it has already been said that Alonso will never be donning Ferrari  overalls, ever. And that comment was given by Montezemolo. Anyway, it's not a very good idea for him to join ferrari esp if his team mate is a title contender. Things normally tend to get sour.

    Alonso has only himself to blame form being in a Renault. If he had been on better terms with Mclaren, he could still stay there and be among the title contenders now. Plus, he didn't want to go to Toyota.

    If the renault improves, he will continue to drive for them. otherwise, he'd better be smart about choosing the team he wants to drive for

  15. though Alonso beat up my all time favorite schumi, i'll have to admit he is one h**l of a driver! just give him a ferrari and he would rule f1. i would rather see Kubica in a "red terror" though. and by 2010 he WILL accumulate some pretty good experience in f1. he is doing an amazing job with the BMW, which although grown back to the top 3 constructors, is still only no.3. i think we would all be amazed what Kubica can do teamed up with the scuderia ferrari...and because he's not a 2 time world champion, i don't think he would be as expensive to buy as alonso.

  16. this may or may not happen. But with a guy like Alonso, Ferrari will need a driver in supporting role like Barrichelo who played the supprting role for M.Schumacher.

  17. I agree with Julian... putting two title contenders in a team is not the best way to 'double' your chances...

    That is why Schumi and Raikkonen wouldn't work... Kimi would've ended up like Rubens or Irvine because Schumi was always their lead driver.... to go for both titles you need a lead driver like Kimi or Lewis... and then adept wingmen like Massa and Heikki to garner points without compromising the lead drivers title chances... McLaren's problems last year wasn't their fault... they didn't expect Hamilton to be so good... they wanted him to be a wingman to Alonso... but with their equal policy that allowed Lewis to show his stuff... it was the same with Nige and Nelson.... only flukes and accidents separated them though... I think that was probably their best combo... it worked on the track... maybe not off it but thats not Williams cared about...

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