Ferrari confirm signing of Alonso for 2010 season (1st Lead)

Sep 30, 2009, 14:33 GMT

Maranello, Italy - Ferrari confirmed Wednesday the signing of Fernando Alonso from Renault for the 2010 Formula One season as replacement driver for Kimi Raikkonen.

The two-time world champion has agreed a three-year deal and will partner Felipe Massa with Giancarlo Fisichella in the role of reserve driver. 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 Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali in a statement.

Raikkonen, who won the 2007 drivers' title in his first year at Ferrari and still has one year left on his contract, is expected to replace fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen at former team McLaren-Mercedes where he will partner current world champion Lewis Hamilton.

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,' said Domenicali.

'Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results, including a great win in Spa (Belgium) and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season.'