German Car Zone

Fernando Alonso's new Ferrari contract could see him race for the famous Italian team until the end of the 2015 season, and earn him 150 million euros, according to reports on Tuesday in the Spanish press.
The reports, in the newspapers AS and Diario Sport based mainly on the information of the radio station SER, said Spaniard Alonso, 27, is guaranteed three seasons at Maranello with an automatic option to extend in 2013 and 2014.
In addition to the terms of three years plus two, yet another conditional option to extend until the end of 2015 is reportedly also included. It is believed he will earn about 25 million euros every year.
The document has purportedly already been deposited with the Contract Recognition Board, and could be announced officially at 10am local from the Suzuka circuit in Japan on Thursday.
However, Italy's Corriere dello Sport claimed that while an announcement on Thursday is likely, the official news might also have to wait until Friday.
Former twice world champion Alonso, who has driven for Minardi and McLaren and is moving from his current team Renault, is also expected to take with him some of his preferred engineers.
His replacement at Renault will almost certainly be the Pole Robert Kubica, whose teammate will be the incumbent Romain Grosjean.


Source: GMM Via: worldcarfans

At first 150 million sounds like a lot, but it's over the 5 year span. So ultimately, he is gonna make 30 million a year. That's not out of reach of the current money maker, Kimi.

The thing I don't understand is why do teams keep offering drivers mega dollars when the driver clearly wants to join the team. I am sure world champion drivers would want to drive the best cars for free, or for a small amount of money rather than being paid big bucks to drive crappy cars.

It doesn't just have to do with whether the driver wants to join the team or not. It also has to do with what the driver brings to the table. If the driver brings skills to the table, great. But if the driver brings in new sponsors, perfect. That is what has happened with Alonso, he has the backing of pretty much all the big shots in Spain and his other sponsors. If the sponsors bring in 150Million a year, then 30 Million a year for Alonso's salary isn't anything, especially since it's the Outfit's sponsors that indirectly pay his salary.

COMFIRMED!!! The best pilot in one of the best teams!!!

Marca.com

Drat. Replace one dull twat with another.

Ferrari confirm capture of Alonso

By Andrew Benson


Ferrari have announced that double world champion Fernando Alonso will join them for 2010 from Renault, replacing Kimi Raikkonen.

Ferrari said the Spaniard had signed a three-year contract and that he would partner Brazilian Felipe Massa.

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali described Alonso, world champion in 2005-6, as an "amazing talent".

Raikkonen said: "I am very sad to be leaving a team with which I have spent three fantastic years."

The Finn, who won the drivers' title in his first year at Ferrari in 2007, is tipped to join McLaren.

As part of the cascade of driver moves that will follow Alonso's switch, Pole Robert Kubica is understood to have already signed a contract to replace Alonso at Renault.

The 28-year-old's switch to Ferrari has been an open secret in F1 for weeks and BBC Sport understands he signed his contract as long ago as July 2008.

A Ferrari source told BBC Sport there are options to extend Alonso's deal, and that he will be earning an annual salary in the region of 19-25 million euros (£17.3-22.8m).

Raikkonen had a contract with Ferrari until the end of 2010, but the team have negotiated an early release.

Domenicali said: "Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari.

"In his first year with us, he managed to win the drivers' title, thus making his contribution to Ferrari's history and he played a vital role in our taking of the constructors' title in 2007 and 2008.

"Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results, including a great win in Spa and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season."

Raikkonen added: "With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule.

"I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team."

Ferrari's statement did not include any remarks from Alonso, who is in Japan ahead of this weekend's grand prix.

Read full article: BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Ferrari confirm capture of Alonso

Alonso, while a tremendously talented driver, is too ruthless out of the car. He is the sort that is quite happy to kill everyone and everything around him to get what he wants.

The real tour de force here is made again by the robertsons, kimi's managers, he will get a titanesque amount of money for leaving (30m, an annual salary), and he will get another one for joining macca, i seriously hope his pay will get radically cut, cause he hasn't done anything during his ferrari days to justify such a salary.

That was the case this year (Hamilton in macca)