Fernando Alonso wants to stay at Ferrari until he retires, the Spanish driver has said after confirming he would switch to the Maranello team in 2010.
The 28-year-old will replace Kimi Raikkonen, who has said he may leave Formula 1 altogether, and has signed a three-year contract with an option to stay until the end of 2014.
"Hopefully I can continue as long as I want and I can finish my career here with a lot of wins," Alonso told reporters in Japan.
"I really think that Ferrari will be my last team, as I said, leaving Ferrari to change teams is a step backwards. Ferrari is more than a team and I want to finish my career there."
Speaking ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Alonso said he would like to match Michael Schumacher achievements at Ferrari.
"It will obviously not be easy and I would like to do the same as Michael, by winning many championships, but I think that it will be very difficult," Alonso said.
"I will go there to be in the best team possible for my career and Ferrari and I share many things together, such as the passion for competition and to give 100 per cent every race. I think that this is the best destination of my career."
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Re: Alonso 'will never leave Ferrari'
Kimi's defected to a more sucessful team.... He's going up in the world!
Re: Alonso 'will never leave Ferrari'
Didn't Kimi say much the same thing when he first arrived at Ferrari?
Re: Alonso 'will never leave Ferrari'
Mass is a great driver and a great character. But if I've read correctly, he (and Kimi) is not quite able to develop a car like Alonso (and, of course, the great Schumi). This is where Nando's strength will help the Scuderia in building a competetive machine again.
Can't wait for the two guys to race each other - just hope no dummies get spat out....