Alonso joins Ferrari for three years

Alonso joins Ferrari for three years

Spain's two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has joined Ferrari for three years, the Italian Grand Prix outfit said Wednesday.

The agreement covers three racing seasons starting in 2010, Ferrari said in a statement.

Alonso, 28, will line up with Brazilian Felipe Massa with Giancarlo Fisichella in the role of reserve driver. Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, who won the world crown in 2007 will leave the Scuderia at the end of this current season.

"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 boss Stefano Domenicali.

The statement did not reveal the value of the three-year deal although media reports have estimated Alono's salary at 25 million euros (36 million US dollars) a season. After winning the drivers' championship with Renault in 2005 and 2006, Alonso spent an unhappy year with McLaren before returning to French constructor Renault last year. Speculation had been rife in the Formula One paddock of an impending move by Alonso to Ferrari with Raikkonen moving on to McLaren.

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