Press Release Maranello, 30th September 2009 - 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 Scuderias 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 Ferraris taking of the Constructors 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 Ferraris 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. http://www.ferrari.com/English/News/Pages/090930_F1_News_1.aspx Awesome!
Not quite the reaction I had on the tip of my tongue. It'll be an interesting year... All the best, Andrew.
Ferrari S.p.A. Direzione Comunicazione Ufficio Stampa Via Abetone Inf. 4 41053 Maranello (MO) Tel. (0536) 949 450 Fax (0536) 949 049 COMUNICATO STAMPA La Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro comunica di aver raggiunto un accordo di collaborazione tecnico-agonistica con il pilota Fernando Alonso. Laccordo sarà valido per tre stagioni sportive, a partire dal 2010. La formazione della Scuderia nella prossima stagione sarà dunque composta da Felipe Massa e Fernando Alonso, con Giancarlo Fisichella nel ruolo di pilota di riserva. Kimi Raikkonen lascerà la squadra alla conclusione di questo campionato, al termine di una partnership fruttuosa e ricca di successi che lo ha visto conquistare il titolo mondiale Piloti nel 2007 e contribuire in maniera decisiva ai titoli iridati Costruttori vinti dalla Ferrari nello stesso 2007 e nellanno successivo. Siamo molto lieti di accogliere nella nostra squadra un pilota vincente, che ha dimostrato il suo straordinario valore conquistando già due titoli iridati nella sua carriera. Fernando ha una personalità eccezionale e faremo di tutto per mettere a disposizione sua e di Felipe una vettura competitiva ha detto Stefano Domenicali Siamo certi questi due grandi piloti formeranno la miglior coppia possibile per una squadra come la nostra. Detto questo, vogliamo ringraziare Kimi per quanto ha fatto in questo periodo trascorso alla Ferrari: al suo primo anno con noi è riuscito a vincere il titolo mondiale, entrando così nella storia della Scuderia, e ha contribuito in maniera decisiva alla conquista dei campionati Costruttori del biennio 2007-2008. Anche in un campionato complicato come questo ha fatto vedere il suo grande talento ottenendo, fra laltro, una bellissima vittoria a Spa e speriamo di raccogliere ancora delle belle soddisfazioni insieme nelle ultime gare di questa stagione. Abbiamo deciso di comune accordo di interrompere con un anno di anticipo il rapporto che mi legava alla Ferrari fino al termine del 2010 ha detto Raikkonen Mi dispiace molto lasciare una squadra con cui ho trascorso tre anni fantastici e ricchi di vittorie. Insieme abbiamo vinto il 50% dei titoli iridati in palio e sono riuscito a laurearmi campione del mondo nel 2007, raggiungendo quellobiettivo che mi ero posto allinizio della mia carriera. Mi sono sempre trovato bene con tutti e porterò sempre con me dei bellissimi ricordi. Maranello, 30 settembre 2009 Ufficio Stampa Sportiva
Woooo Hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been waiting for this for a long time. My favorite driver at Ferrari. I think we're going to have some fantastic results the next few years. What a wonderful day.
Being a neither Alonso or Kimi fan, I must say after reading the PR and with only three races to go, what incentive has Kimi to afford Ferrari after this - I think Kimi just got the shaft big time and I hope he takes all money he can from Ferrari. What else could he say in his comments but what he did? It appears that any hope of Vettel at Ferrari is down the drain until Alonso's contract expires unless he terminates it to go to something else when the car is crap or another scandal looms on the horizon. Carol Forza Massa
I am not a fan per se, but he IS the best driver, and the best driver should sit in one of the red cars He is a primadonna, but so are ferrari. Maybe they can both direct their energy in the way of something positive.
NO WAY that Kimi worded that himself!!!! I'd bet his real words were something along the lines of "Mumblemumblemumblewasnicemumblechampionmumblevodkamumblemclarenmumble"...
I think that Hamilton is the best current driver, but Alonso is a close 2nd and he would be my choice as a Ferrari driver as I think he will gel better with the team than Hamilton would. It's going to be very interesting to see how the Alonso vs Massa and Hamilton vs Raikkonen battles play out as well as the McLaren vs Ferrari battle. I'm very excited about 2010!!
Boo... Well let's see how he is going to F up Ferrari like is last two teams. I know, I know none of it was his fault. BS!
I felt it was needed to quote everyone. +1. And I'll add, Forza Kimi wherever he goes. +1 -1 Agreed. My reaction was more, " Oh , fnck" I hope I'm wrong, but I see this as the start of a dark 3+ years for the Scud.
Technically, he's the best all-round driver in the car. The problem is, he's so self-absorbed in his own interests that he doesn't care if he destroys the team around him in trying to achieve them. Schumacher was skilled and ruthless too, but he also had a sense of team and that's why he did so well with Ferrari. I'm with Tillman and Kami on this one: There may be brief shining moments of greatness ahead, but I have an ominous feeling about the prospects ahead for the Ferrari team. All the best, Andrew.
Could someone start a new thread titled: "Alonso to Ferrari -Good News or Bad News?" then have a poll where the choices are: Good News Bad News There have been a lot of negative comments, but I wonder what the general view of the F-Chat community is. Thanks
I have mixed feelings on this one, to be honest. However, I wish Alonso the best, and also, a big thanks to Kimi for the 2007 WDC and WCC titles.