Ferrari Set to Confirm Alonso at Suzuka

Fernando Alonso is set to be announced as official driver at Ferrari during next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, at Suzuka. With the rumors of the Alonso-Ferrari move quickly replacing the reports on the crash-gate in most of the media, Ferrari's team principal Stefano Domenicali hinted that a final decision will be made as soon as possible.

“I think that as soon as we are ready we will let you know. We don't want to wait too long,” said the Italian on Sunday night.

In addition, Domenicali admitted that it is a possibility for Ferrari to announce its complete 2010 lineup next week, but nothing has been confirmed. Last week, only days before the Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari's CEO Luca di Montezemolo admitted that Felipe Massa's teammate next year will be either Finnish or Spanish.

With Raikkonen reportedly signing a pre-contract with McLaren last week – in order to secure his seat for 2010, in case Ferrari will drop him from their roster – Alonso's move to Maranello seems only a matter of time.

Another piece of news that completes this scenario is Renault's new managing director Jean-Francois Caubet partially confirming Alonso's departure from Enstone. Although not making it official, Caubert revealed he will miss the Spaniard next year.

“We will miss him but he will miss us," Caubert told French television TF1 in Singapore.

In a media report from the GMM news agency, it is said that a reporter jokingly offered Alonso a 10 euro note in exchange of his 2010 employer. The Spaniard returned it with a big smile: “Not enough. At least 20.”