From GMM
Fernando Alonso on Thursday said he hopes Ferrari will be his last formula one team.
The 28-year-old Spaniard made his debut as a teenager with Minardi in 2001, before racing for six seasons with Renault, winning back to back titles in 2005 and 2006.
In 2007 he completed just one season of an abortive multi-year contract at McLaren.
It was announced on Wednesday that he will switch to Ferrari in 2010 on a guaranteed three year deal, reportedly with contracted options for up to 3 additional seasons.
If he races with the famous Italian team through 2015, he will be 34.
"I really think that Ferrari will be my last team," he told reporters in the Suzuka paddock.
"Leaving Ferrari to change teams is always a step backwards. It has to be a step backwards because Ferrari is more than a team and I want to finish my career with them.
"The contract is three years now, and then with some options to continue. So hopefully I can continue as long as they want and I can finish the career here with a lot of wins," Alonso added.
Fernando Alonso also brushed off suggestions his latest switch to a new formula one team could once again end in disaster.
At the end of 2006, the Spaniard switched to join McLaren, but despite a multi-year contract, he returned after just one season to Renault, having fallen out spectacularly with his colleagues.
But although his pairing alongside Lewis Hamilton was so troubled in 2007, Alonso sounded confident when asked how he expects to get along with Felipe Massa at Ferrari.
Referring to 2007, he said: "It will not happen again. I am more prepared than I was two years ago. And Ferrari is more important than any driver in that car.
"We arrive in a team that is a pleasure and we are proud to drive that car. It doesn't matter if you are quicker or slower than your teammate. The people want to see a Ferrari car in front.
"Felipe is a great driver and also has a very good personality. It will be fine, we will both work for the team to score points for the team," Fernando Alonso added.
Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa once had a very public row after an on-track clash while waiting to go up to the podium, but the 28-year-old believes he will get on well with the Brazilian as teammates.
"We are both Latin, Brazilian and Spanish!" smiled Fernando Alonso.
photo:wri2
Fernando Alonso on Thursday said he hopes Ferrari will be his last formula one team.
The 28-year-old Spaniard made his debut as a teenager with Minardi in 2001, before racing for six seasons with Renault, winning back to back titles in 2005 and 2006.
In 2007 he completed just one season of an abortive multi-year contract at McLaren.
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| Fernando Alonso in Suzuka, Japan. |
It was announced on Wednesday that he will switch to Ferrari in 2010 on a guaranteed three year deal, reportedly with contracted options for up to 3 additional seasons.
If he races with the famous Italian team through 2015, he will be 34.
"I really think that Ferrari will be my last team," he told reporters in the Suzuka paddock.
"Leaving Ferrari to change teams is always a step backwards. It has to be a step backwards because Ferrari is more than a team and I want to finish my career with them.
"The contract is three years now, and then with some options to continue. So hopefully I can continue as long as they want and I can finish the career here with a lot of wins," Alonso added.
Fernando Alonso also brushed off suggestions his latest switch to a new formula one team could once again end in disaster.
At the end of 2006, the Spaniard switched to join McLaren, but despite a multi-year contract, he returned after just one season to Renault, having fallen out spectacularly with his colleagues.
But although his pairing alongside Lewis Hamilton was so troubled in 2007, Alonso sounded confident when asked how he expects to get along with Felipe Massa at Ferrari.
Referring to 2007, he said: "It will not happen again. I am more prepared than I was two years ago. And Ferrari is more important than any driver in that car.
"We arrive in a team that is a pleasure and we are proud to drive that car. It doesn't matter if you are quicker or slower than your teammate. The people want to see a Ferrari car in front.
"Felipe is a great driver and also has a very good personality. It will be fine, we will both work for the team to score points for the team," Fernando Alonso added.
Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa once had a very public row after an on-track clash while waiting to go up to the podium, but the 28-year-old believes he will get on well with the Brazilian as teammates.
"We are both Latin, Brazilian and Spanish!" smiled Fernando Alonso.
photo:wri2