Alonso has signed a new three year deal with Ferrari to keep him at Maranello until 2016. More here Personally, this doesn't come as a great surprise, he's got the team pretty much built around him, and its highly unlikely a seat will become available in one of Ferrari's rivals in the next couple of years. Hamilton, and especially Vettel are settled where they are, Button wants to finish his career with Mclaren, and I think Webber probably has a couple of seasons left in him, and even then, would Alonso want Vettel for a team-mate?
Yes, it doesn't look like any of the star players will be swapping seats anytime soon, though, there maybe a vacant seat at Mercedes in the foreseeable future.
Has he just told us when hes retiring? He should be able to get a few more championships in that time too
Ferrari will have to get the FIA to make a few more rule changes to get Alonso another WDC. Maybe even the renaissance of FIAtF1 no less.
I think this is good for both Ferrari and Alonso, seems a perfect fit. Question is who will be Alonso's team-mate for the next five years.
Wow, this is fantastic news! Excellent job by Ferrari to secure the services of the best driver for a few more years! The fact that they sign a new contract at this time, and until 2016 shows just what Ferrari think of Alonso as a driver, and as a team leader. I hope this partnership becomes a very successful one. One wonders how who will be in that second seat. It could be Felipe, but it might even be someone unexpected, maybe even Vettel
Vettel in the second seat?! Sounds like a recipe for fireworks to me. Maybe if he joins in 2016... Hmmm...
Not a surprise, Alonso was the driver built for Ferrari. But when Massa does eventually get replaced it obviously won't be someone like Kubica or Vettel, I'd love to see Kobayashi in there.
Welcome to the board Max. I think Perez will get the seat when Massa leaves, assuming he isn't too quick of course.
Aight, Max. Wilkommen. I can't see Vettel alongside Alonso either. Even if Ferrari have evolved from the lead driver ethos that a privileged financial position in F1 enabled them to pursue, I find it difficult to believe they will enthusiastically embrace the concept of full equality.
Welcome along Max, I think either Koba or Nico for the second seat.. Maybe even Webber if he leaves RBR but doesnt want to retire.
Ferrari could never go to a fully equal system, if they've kept it for the past 50 years, they'll keep it for the next 50. I'm for Ferrari's system, it's the smart move, and F1 is a team sport, not individual. In football people are subbed to make the team better, this is the same case.
I would like and expect either of the Sauber drivers to partner Alonso at Ferrari, I would also like to see Rosberg there, he needs a race winning car! But I think that it is unlikely.
Thanks for the welcomes; good to be here! I can only see Vettel joining as Alonso approaches retirement. I agree that one of the Sauber drivers looks the most likely replacement as of now but a lot can change before the end of 2012 when Massa's contract expires.
I think they operate quite differently now compared to Schumacher's day. I could be wrong. When Massa led the campaign for WDC in 2008 it was very much as a result of Raikkonen's raikkonenicity. I think they intended for Massa to win the championship about as much as they intended for Eddie Irvine to win it in 1999. You could argue, however, that Massa got a lot more support from Ferrari (full support, in fact) than Irvine did. There are other signs, though. Massa was allowed to finish one place ahead of a healthy Alonso in Malaysia and China this season. None of Schumacher's team mates would have been allowed to do that under Ferrari's previous system. I think they've learned a lot, but I also think that if the financial advantage they receive from FOM prize monies is removed (or spread equally around the big four teams) then the dependence they'll have on WCC winnings means they'll have to support their number two driver more because they'll need his points. This might mean they give Massa's seat to someone who will run Alonso closer (notwithstanding the Malaysia and China results).
