F1 News - Latest F1 News

Fernando Alonso says the chance to join Ferrari next season has only emerged in recent days, the Spaniard revealing he had been initially been expecting to join the Scuderia the following year after signing a 2011 deal in the summer.

The Maranello-based outfit ended months ofspeculation on Wednesday by finally confirming Alonso in its line-up for next season after mutually agreeing to end Kimi Raikkonen’s contract a year ahead of schedule.

Although a future move to Ferrari has been speculated about since Alonso left McLaren at the end of 2007 and respected Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported as early as last December that he had a deal in place to move in 2011 at the latest, it has remained uncertain as to whether Alonso would join in time for next season with both Raikkonen and Felipe Massa still under contract.

However, after media reports over the weekend suggested Ferrari’s lawyers were close to agreeing a pay-off for Raikkonen, the team has since agreed with the Finn’s management to end their relationship 12 months early, thus creating a seat for Alonso.

Speaking about his impending move for the first time, Alonso expressed his delight at securing the “dream” move a year of schedule, while thanking Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo for making his move a reality.

"I’m very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver,” the 21-time grand prix winner told Ferrari’s official website. “Driving a single-seater from the Prancing Horse is everybody’s dream in this sport and today I have the opportunity to make this dream come true. Above all I want to thank Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who really wanted this three-year contract. We already had an agreement this summer starting in 2011, but then, the last days, the picture changed and we decided to bring forward my arrival in Maranello by one year.”

The double world champion added that he had enjoyed his largely successful seven years at Renault during across two different spells at the team, adding that he wished the squad all the best for 2010 and beyond. And while vowing to give the Enstone-based squad his all during his final three races for the team, he admitted he couldn’t wait to start his Ferrari career.

“The years at Renault were fantastic: together we won four world titles (two drivers’ and as two constructors’ championships) until this day, 21 Grands Prix,” he said. “I wish the team all the best and let’s hope we gain some good results in the last races this year. After this season I will put all my effort in the next season: I’m sure that, together with Felipe, we’ll offer Ferrari and the fans from all over the world some great satisfaction. I can’t wait to start working with my new team.”