Fernando Alonso’s widely-tipped moved to Ferrari from Renault is expected to be confirmed within the next 48 hours, according to Maranello sources.
The double world champion has reportedly signed a two year deal with the Italian firm and he will earn an annual salary in the region of 19-25 million euro (£17.3-22.8m).
Alonso's contract runs to the end of 2011, but there are options for a further three years, which could mean he will drive for Ferrari until the end of 2014, when he will be 33.
A Ferrari spokesman said: "At this moment, there is nothing we can say. In the last few weeks, something has changed. We are talking to the drivers and when it is the proper time we will make an announcement."
Alonso will team up with the recovering Felipe Massa in 2010, with Kimi Raikkonen poised to return to McLaren. Alonso will be replaced at Renault by Polish driver Robert Kubica, who will switch from the outgoing BMW Sauber team.
Twitter - follow autocar.co.ukSee all the latest Ferrari reviews, news and video
Join the debate
Add your comment
Re: Alonso/Ferrari deal imminent
Oh, and let's not forget that if things at Ferrari don't go to plan for Teflonso, there will be loads of Spanish "fans" logging on to whinge about that evil Italian-Brazilian conspiracy to deprive Teflonso of his god-given continual right to the championship.
Ghastly 'man' driving for a ghastly team.
I'd like to see some sportsmanship, that is all.
Re: Alonso/Ferrari deal imminent
What a load of complete toss, there are as many people here saying that Hamilton and the whole show is as rotten too, if you read the comments offered with any degree of accuracy or took off your blinkers you'd know and realise this.
The point people are making and alluding too is that like Hamilton, Teflonso is always there or there about when these issues come up. It's nothing to do with the colour of his passport or car.
I'm a Brit, albeit expat, who can't stand the Hamilton machine or the lack of sportsmanship seen in F1 today and that's the difference - you seem to think that it's ok so long as you drive the red car and are called Alonso.
I don't care who wins, so long as they win it fairly.
And who here can say that they'll have any confidence that what they are watching is ever fair any more?
Re: Alonso/Ferrari deal imminent
Very sorry to see Kimi leave Ferrari. No doubt he's as talented as Alonso but he does seem to lack concentration/motivation at times. Ferrari have got the right driver with Alonso in my opinion.