Renault's Fernando Alonso will replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari next season, the Italian team has confirmed
Alonso, who finished third in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, will partner Felipe Massa on his return from the horrific accident he suffered at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Spaniard has signed a three-year contract, with Giancarlo Fisichella taking the role of reserve driver.
Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion who is contracted to the team until 2010, is expected to return to McLaren-Mercedes next year to partner Lewis Hamilton. The Finn will replace Heikki Kovalainen who has been disappointing this season.
"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," Stefano Domenicali, the Ferrari boss, said.
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. We are sure we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season."
After winning the drivers' championship with Renault in 2005 and 2006, Alonso spent an unhappy year with McLaren before returning to Renault last year.
Renault are expected to confirm that Polish driver Robert Kubica will lead the team in 2010.
Source:The times
