Italian Media Going Strong on Alonso-Ferrari Deal

Fernando Alonso

Yes, we know it's not official, and yes, it can become rather annoying keeping the headlines with the Alonso-Ferrari rumors lately, but with so many reports linking the Spaniard to a driving spot with the prancing horse from the very end of this year, we just can't help writing about it.

The first reports about such a move were initially surfaced in the Spanish media, who revealed that the 2-time world champion will be presented as a Ferrari driver prior to this year's Italian Grand Prix, at Monza. Obviously, the Scuderia denied the allegations, insisting that they already have an official lineup for the 2010 season.

However, recent editions of some important sports publications in Italy started picking up on these rumors. So much as motorsport magazine Autosprint “showed on its cover a photo-shopped image of 27-year-old Alonso wearing red overalls and the caption 'Alonso will be a Ferrarista from 15 November'” as reported by the GMM news agency.

Autosprint was not the only Italian publication to write about the potential move, as daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport revealed Alonso has actually signed a deal with Ferrari from as early as last summer. According to the aforementioned source, the Spaniard will race for the prancing horse for the upcoming 2 years, holding a 3-year extension clause after 2011.

The “summer of 2008” rumor suggested by the Gazzetta doesn't seem to make much sense though, especially if one considers Kimi Raikkonen as being the potential go-away from the Maranello team. The Fin extended his deal with Ferrari for 2010 included in September last year, meaning a few months after Ferrari have presumably secured Alonso's seat.

Regardless of what Alonso has signed (or not) with Ferrari, should the “reds” get rid of the 2007 F1 champion at the end of the year, they're probably have to pay him his full 28 million euro fee for next season. That unless Felipe Massa will not be in a dark place at the time, which we're only going to find out later on this autumn.