Motor Sport: Fernando Alonso wants to finish his Formula One career at Ferrari after describing his move to the Italian team as a "dream come true".
Alonso confirmed yesterday he will leave Renault at the end of the season to join Ferrari on a three-year deal as the 28-year-old looks to add to the two world championships he won with the French outfit in 2005 and 2006.
“I really think Ferrari will be my last team because leaving Ferrari is always a step backwards,” he said. “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 with options to continue so hopefully I can continue as long as they want and I can finish my career here with a lot of wins.
“It’s very special, no doubt. I think all the drivers dream one day to drive for Ferrari and now this dream came true for me and I’m extremely happy and ready for the challenge.”
Alonso did admit he will find it difficult to live up to the legacy of Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven world titles in the famous scarlet livery, but believed he had made the right choice to cement his reputation as perhaps the best driver currently on the grid, despite the team’s struggles this season.
They have just one race win to their name to date when Kimi Raikkonen — whom Alonso is set to replace — took the chequered flag at Spa.
“It will be not easy and I don’t arrive there just to do the same as Michael. I’d like to do the same and win many championships but I think it’s going to be very, very difficult,” he added. “I go there just to be in the best team possible for my career and Ferrari.”