Early exit as Alonso joins the Prancing Horse power

FERNANDO ALONSO has admitted to joining Ferrari a year earlier than initially agreed.

Alonso has signed a three-year deal from next season reputed to be worth €60 million.

This is, however, still €21m shy of what Kimi Raikkonen is understood to have earned with the team over the last three seasons.

Nevertheless, the double world champion now has the drive he has craved and a chance to add to the titles he won with Renault in 2005 and 2006.

However, after initially signing with the Scuderia this summer to start in 2011, Alonso will leave Renault at the end of this year.

“I’m very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver,” said Alonso.

“Driving a single-seater from the Prancing Horse is everybody’s dream in this sport, and now I have the opportunity to make this dream come true.

“We had an agreement this summer, starting in 2011, but then over the last few days the picture changed and we decided to anticipate my arrival in Maranello by one year.”

The picture referred to by Alonso is Raikkonen apparently agreeing to return to McLaren, which is likely to be confirmed ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Alonso will now partner Felipe Massa at Ferrari, with Giancarlo Fisichella — currently standing in for the injured Brazilian — to take up the role of test and reserve driver.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was only too delighted to unveil the Spaniard.

“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 Domenicali.

Alonso has long been touted as the driver with the most natural ability currently racing in F1.

Providing Ferrari can return to their title-chasing ways after a lean season this year by their standards, the 28-year-old will be a strong favourite to become a three-time champion.

As for Raikkonen, he stands poised to relocate back to Woking and join a team with whom he twice came close to winning the title in 2003 and 2005 before taking it in his first year at Ferrari in 2007.

Raikkonen was arguably fortunate to have taken the title on that occasion as Hamilton effectively blew a 17-point lead with two races remaining.

But no-one can take the championship away from him, and reflecting on his time with the team, Domenicali added: “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, so 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.”

For his part, Raikkonen said: “I am very sad to be leaving a team with whom I have spent three fantastic years.

“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.”