Ferrari has officially confirmed that Fernando Alonso will replace
Kimi Raikkonen in its line-up from 2010, having completed a three-year
deal.
The double world champion’s move from Renault has been anticipated
for many months, and will see him paired with Felipe Massa in the
Italian squad’s race team.
"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 boss Stefano
Domenicali.
Alonso’s arrival is likely to see Raikkonen returning to his former team McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton.
The Finn delivered the world championship for Ferrari in his first
season with the team in 2007, but his results have declined since and
he will leave the squad a year before his contract had been set to
expire.
"Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during
his time with Ferrari," said Domenicali. "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 and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the
final three races of this season."
Raikkonen underlined that his departure from Ferrari had been by mutual consent.
"With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract
binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule,"
he said.
"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 per cent 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."
Alonso’s confirmation at Ferrari is likely to trigger a series of
2010 driver announcements over the coming days, with the Spaniard’s
move long tipped as the decision that would allow the rest of the
‘silly season’ jigsaw to fall into place.
McLaren: No decision on second driver yet
McLaren says it is yet to decide the identity of Lewis Hamilton’s 2010 team-mate.
Today’s confirmation that Fernando Alonso would make his
long-anticipated move to Ferrari in 2010 has led to suggestions that
McLaren will soon announce that Kimi Raikkonen will be returning to the
Woking squad after a three-year absence to partner Hamilton next season.
But McLaren insisted that its second seat remained open at present.
"As is already in the public domain, Lewis Hamilton is contracted until the end of the 2012 season," said a McLaren spokesman.
"As regards the identity of our other driver for 2010 and beyond, we have not yet made a decision."
Hamilton’s current team-mate Heikki Kovalainen has had a
disappointing 2009 season, struggling to match the world champion for
race pace in particular.
Sources have suggested to AUTOSPORT that Raikkonen is close to deal
to take Kovalainen’s place. Raikkonen previously drove for McLaren from
2002 to 2006 – winning nine races and coming close to two world
championships during this period – before leaving for Ferrari.
FUCK ISRAEL 
It´s Ferrari´s loss…I feel betrayed, as I wrote on the forum, no tifosi ever wanted to see Alonso in a red car…..Come on Kimi! Let us know where you´re going!!! We´re behind you 10000000000000%, all the way, the Raikkonen WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I was too busy making the Singapore video, my sister phoned me and said "I just heard about Kimi!" and I was like "WTF! Wait, don’t tell me yet, I haven’t seen anything" and my heart was pounding so hard. Literally. It just started thumping. Kimi, you drive me mad lolSo, there’s nothing about Kimi going to McLaren yet… 😦
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I nearly died from shock when my mum got onto planet f1 and there was the announcement staring me in the face. The fact that we all knew it was coming didn’t make it one bit easier to bear. I hope McLaren will be quick about it.
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Yep.I wish I didn’t have to make this video now…grrrrr.
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I can’t stop craying. I never were a Ferrari fan, but now i hate them, they betrayed Kimi. Hope McLaren will say something soon.:((((((((((((
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The days waiting for McLaren’s confirmation will be hard… Hope everything turns out just fine…
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Don’t cry my dear Kimi friends. I know it’s quite hard not to…I have as well. I send out my hugs to you all *big hugs*Anyway, Kimi was Kimi before he ever went to Ferrari. We loved him at Sauber, we adored him at McLaren and we stood by him at Ferrari. He will always be Kimi Raikkonen!
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Nice to hear that Saima. Thank you a lot. I send you also BIG hug! And,yes-HE WILL ALWAYS BE KIMI RAIKKONEN!Now i stop craying!
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This is not a news for us, we knew it long long time ago. I have prepared myself but yet I don’t know why my tears keep dropping. We should be happy that Kimi is finally leaving the team who didn’t value him but I’m sad to read Kimi’s comment over mutual agreement of the termination of contract. Hope Kimi will makes us smile soon.
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I love Kimi but as a McLaren fan I always had to put my loyalties there first. It’s terrible that Ferrari could get rid of an amazing driver like Kimi and I hope they find themselves regretting it. Now I only wish McLaren would make their announcement instead of saying they haven’t decided. This wait is horrible and I just wish my dreams of Kimi at McLaren will come true. Please Please Please McLaren. I know its not been long since the announcement but I don’t know how much longer I can wait! I would personally abandon my support of McLaren if they don’t sign Kimi and that’s saying something!Btw I love this website 🙂 Thanks so much.
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Thanks and hugs too, Saima 🙂 I’ve got no team now, but I still have a driver – and Kimi’s one heck of a driver!!! Love your banner by the way!
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Evenstar, I forgot to say that your ‘Iceman Contract’ picture is wonderful. Very creative, can I have your permission to post in my facebook 🙂 ?
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I have always been a Ferrari Fan.. and I can say that I was a 200% ferrari fan when Kimi joined the Scuderia.. it was my dream come true.. he has just amazing driving skills and he has always demonstrated that he has the abilities of a champion.. He just does what he has to do.. and he has never being on cotroversy.. or cheating.. or anything bad.. so I´m quite dissapointed with Ferrari as a team.. I dont know.. but it seems to me that they play blackmail with him.. although he stayed committed till the end–and for me as a tiffosi.. it´s such a bad impression.. the values and all those words that talked about being a team at the end were just crap… businness is business.. all it´s about money and sponsors.. I´m sad for Kimi too.. as he once said that he expected that Ferrari will be his last team.. and now.. despite having won a driver championship and giving outstanding results this season.. they´re doing this just three gps before the season ends.. Im just wondering how bad he is feeling..and how he is going to cope with that.. Anyway… as my german teacher says….Kopf hoch¡¡ I´m sure Kimi will make a success of this new era… And I´m really hoping that he thinks about going back with Mclaren.. not saying they´re not a great team.. but I have questions about the value he is going to receive.. knowing that Hamilton.. wants to be always.. the gold kid.. and the last scandals inside the team..
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I can`t explain how i`m feeling right now. Cry or feel happy or feel sad or feel disgusted with Ferrari ( whom I supported all the time F1 ). Really donno how to react to this. Today I was talking with my friend about Kimi`s move to Mclaren and was telling him that I`m eager to see the official news as soon as possible. But the Ferrari press announcement has made me sad. Also Mclaren has not yet confirmed Kimi. Really feeling restless. I don`t know what to do next and I don`t know what to react to this. Betrayal from Ferrari has made me think that I hate Ferrari now. How can we survive these days with Kimi`s future in 2010 not confirmed?
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picture, banner, all is wonderful ! :)) such a nice and awesome ladie to gather us !!can’t wait for an announcement about Kimi’s future too, and see him coming back "home" is a pleasure for me personaly as i supported before Kimi arrived there ! i am not sad to see him leaving Ferrari just regret if he regrets it really , hope notFerrari are just liars and even Kimi is maybe sad, that i am really really sorry , we know that tomorrow he will be ok, i regret that this team hasn’t understood him and appreciated his talent and devotion to the team. that’s a shame to have treated him like that . Just can’t bear the team’s comments about Alonso’s arriving and the thanks for good services to Kimi! that’s disgusting !but sure i will always be here for Kimi no matter where ! hope really the best for him and at least another WDC of course !JUST KIMI FOR EVER !!and all Raikkos there for Kimi !!
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Joshi, take it easy. Leaving Ferrari is not the end of the world, I think it is a good thing in fact. But the way Ferrari handle this matter makes the things looks bad. Tomorrow will be a better day, lets wait for good news from Kimi.
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It’s sad, so sadIt’s a sad, sad situationAnd it’s getting more and more absurd…………
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I was sad when Kimi left McLaren because I used to like that team. Okay, they are still my N1 F1 team but I was/am disappointed with the hamilton-choice. But I’ve become a Kimi fan, I saw his real talent when he moved to McLaren but I think many of us can say the same thing. At first, I was in shock when they said, he’ll move to Ferrari. I couldn’t imagine our cool guy in all red. But I have to admit, he look(ed) great in red, too. Kimi was successful and seemed happy with them and it was good to see. But I hated to read the all-time rumours with alonso from spanish and italian media. In the middle of this season the rumours turned into truth and we all knew this even before the confirm. But we could trust in the very opposite. We had hope. With the confirm, only one thing’s changed: all hope is gone. I’m sad and disappointed but I can’t cry because I know Kimi and his talent made Ferrari to win the championship in 2007 and if he moves, his talent will also move with him wherever he goes. If montezemolo or domenicali doesn’t see or doesn’t want to see or doesn’t want to admit that they see it, then it is their fault. I just don’t understand why Massa and Alonso are so special for them. Or why Alonso’s in a hurry so he can’t wait one more year. But who cares when Ferrari doesn’t care about Kimi and can easily replace him with this jungle-eyebrowed alien. There is still hope that Kimi will stay in F1 for one (or 2-3-4-5-x) more year and find a better car and will be 5x champion. So we shouldn’t be sad even if it’s hard now, enough if Ferrari will regret this step. Kimi is Kimi wherever he goes and we are his fans, we are proud of him whatever he does.
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hi saima and to u all guys….i ve just read the news…i knew it but i couldnt accept it…anyway it finally happened though…i hope maclaren announce kimi as sooner the possible…the past few months seem to unbearable for kimi and us… i know kimi is sad we all are…i stayed as well with a driver and without a team! i wish maclaren will finally embrace kimi to be a member of its family…Thanks saima for the iceman contracts wallpapers , they are fantastic…KEEP FAITH KIMI AND ALL RAIKKOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BETTER DAYS ARE SOON COMING……..
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Arghhhh this is so horrible!I don’t know how much longer I can wait lol I keep checking autosport every 5 minutes even though I know it won’t say anything. I really want Kimi at McLaren. There were rumours of him going to Brawn or Renault a while ago but McLaren is where he belongs, not there! Ahhhhhhh how can McLaren make us wait for so long! I won’t be able to sleep until I know Kimi is back at McLaren!
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I think McLaren can’t make any announcement yet (even if they would’ve liked to go public about Kimi the same time as Ferrari have about Alonso) because there are still some details and negotiations between Kimi’s lawyers regarding the contracts and etc Hopefully it’ll be clear soon.
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we know that this alonso replacement is gonna happen but it’s realy hard to read it officially. ı dont know what is thınkıng this ferrari guys . last 3 years kimi is the one who gave them drivers champıonshıp but they always support massa. ı want to see kımı ın mclaren because his talent and past deserves the best and only mclaren can provide a competetive car for kimi. but ı have to say that ı have doubts about hamilton too
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So true Anna. Now I`ll go to sleep so that I don`t refresh autosport now.Hopefully after I will wake up 2morrow, it will be a another beautiful day. And hopefully Mclaren can go official with Kimi this weekend. :)Good Luck Kimi! Good Luck guys. Hope we survive this phase 2gether supporting Kimi. 🙂
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Hi guys! You know what? Ferrari and Alonso deserve each other, because they are idiots. Kimi is the best, and he is going to show them who is he! :))))) And i’m sure that we are going to hear same good news very soon.
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just be calm guys we knew kimi is the dark side of hes career right now but remember their is always a light waiting at the end of darkness so no need to panic kimi is the 2007 world champion and very awesome diver some team will take him soon..hope ferrari will going down next season hope they lose the 3rd position of contractors points..ehehehe
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hi guys,i completely agree with ena – re ‘ferrari are idiots’. the superiority complex of the team is nauseating. imo they have been disrespectful to kimi all season (eg. not sticking up for him during ice cream ‘saga’ which was surely their own PR guy’s fault in the first place). remember, they have ultimately failed to get their car up to scratch this year – kimi’s results are DESPITE the car…meanwhile maclaren have done a good job from a lot further back. i have a feeling that kimi is pleased to leave ferrari as he probably has a better chance of a WDC at maclaren. in any case, i’m laughing at the massive ‘non payday’ for him! i’ve always liked him as a driver but have been so impressed with his demeanour this season. his recent comment ‘i wouldn’t have signed the contract if i didn’t intend to honour it’ (or very close to that) was superb and highly intelligent. compare this to alonso who still counts singapore 08 as a win, and dedicated 3rd place to a cheat last weekend. OMG what an ego. urgh. come on maclaren, bring the boy home…
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I am now with ribbonseal, YUSS and Amol – I have no team now. The team that I believed in all these years, the dream that came true when Kimi moved is now over. How can I support a team who only values money and does not value the person and the talent of that person?I wonder what really happened these last few days for them to move Alonso’s contract up to 2010?Anyway, I shouldn’t be sad – WE ALL SHOULDN’T BE SAD – Kimi is still there and he hasn’t changed! He hasn’t let us down! No cheating, no scandals, no badmouthing of the team or anyone in it. Ferrari have nothing to say about him. He did his job and he did it well, and he can walk away holding his head up high.As some of you have said during the last few days, the Robertsons will take care of him and he will be back in the FRONT of the grid next season.I’m actually waiting to see how he will do the next 3 races. I hope he will leave Ferrari with them DOUBTING if they have made the wrong decision, and end the next few years with Ferrari REGRETTING that they made the wrong decision.I am hoping that Kimi comes in here, especially now, so that he will know that there are a lot of people out there who realize his worth.There are many other forums who agree with us here, even the Ferrari forum, so we should all be confident that Kimi will know he is not alone. And that he will get through this.I don’t know if you remember, Saima, that I sent you a poem that you posted last year at the end of the season. Yup, that was me, Paula, when I wasn’t even signed on yet here. I think it is appropriate again. it shows the man Kimi was, is and always will be – and for that alone, i am sure that there are those in F1 who see that and will be willing to support him by making him part of their team. McLaren know that already so I know that they’re probably first in line.So, we are still waiting to find out WHAT team he will be driving for and not IF he will be driving.So, heads up everyone, dry the tears, look ahead, when you’re down the only way to go is up -THE ICEMAN IS ONLY HALFWAY UP THE SUMMIT!!!KEEP FLYING KIMI — AND KEEP FLYING KIMI FANS!!!
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Kracer, I wish to see Kimi does fantastic next 3 races & leaves Ferrari with DOUBTING if they have made the wrong decision too. But with the stop developed F60, I doubt so. Anyway, I’m sure he will do his VERY BEST. I’m quite sure he still loves Ferrari even they treated him this way 😦
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…….team sponsor Santander, keen to make room at Ferrari for Alonso, has agreed to pay McLaren €25m if it will give Raikkonen a race seat next year……. End of story
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The team that I believed in all these years, the dream that came true when Kimi moved is now over. How can I support a team who only values money and does not value the person and the talent of that person?quote kracer!
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ah, obviuos, now ferrari and nando are saying that ferrari will be last team for him…..mmmm I’ve just heard this story so much times….ah, ferrari, what a team…..
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Saima, may I copy your baner?I like it so much…For the others news I prefered not comment…I’m so sad..I feel I hate Ferrari for this fact.
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YUSS, what I meant about the team doubting their decision is not that Kimi would necessarily win or even be on the podium but he would continue to push, to do his best, and not criticize the team.They will start to notice that when Alonso starts complaining.Pernilla, about Alonso saying it will be his last team, let’s see next year when he starts making trouble over there. Will the Santander money work then? Will they cancel their contract with him…Or seeing the true colors of Ferrari now, maybe they will screw Massa next…I will put 2 quotes from tifosi in the Ferrari forum – "Today it’s a sad day. This day will be a dark day in the History of Scuderia Ferrari. For once , one steering wheel has been sold to a bank." and "Dark clouds are looming over Maranello".
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Thanks kracer by being so brave in this time. If you are a boy then really well done mate. If you are a girl, then lol I really have no clue about how to praise you. :)Kimi will always be Kimi! That is for sure. I want to see him in Formula 1 with Big Teams. Today at college, I and my friend were both feeling dejected! We hope for the official announcement of Kimi joining Mclaren would come soon. And That news will give us enough of happiness!Right now, IMO Mclaren guys are thinking of Heikki because they care for their drivers! But I hope soon they will realize that Kimi is the Right Man for them. That day I`ll be the happiest in the world.Be Strong Guys! Keep faith in Roberstons. Btw where is Steve?
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By the way, in the Ferrari press release they wrote that Kimi is "sad" but when Kimi was interviewed himself at Suzuka, he said he is not sad, he’s not crying lol GOOD!
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lol. yeah. We`r are getting our Kimi back! He`s just speaking from his heart now. 🙂
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