Ferrari confirms Alonso departure

By on Thursday, November 20, 2014
Scuderia Ferrari

Scuderia Ferrari

Ferrari and Fernando Alonso have confirmed that they have ended their partnership by mutual consent.

Alonso joined the team at the start of 2010 and has accrued 11 wins in that period, along with three runner-up positions in the championship.

But Alonso's relationship with Ferrari deteriorated across 2014 and it has been confirmed that the Spaniard will leave the team after this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

He will be replaced by Sebastian Vettel.

"Today is not an easy one for me, because even if I always look to the future with great enthusiasm and determination, at the end of this season my journey as a Ferrari driver will come to an end," said Alonso

"It was a difficult decision to take, but a carefully considered one and from start to finish, my love for Ferrari was a prime consideration. I have always been lucky enough to make my own decisions about my future and I have that possibility now too. I must thank the team for that, as it understood my position.

"I leave Scuderia Ferrari after five years, during which I reached my very best level professionally, tackling major challenges that pushed me to find new limits. I also proved to be a true team-player, putting the interests of the Scuderia before my own. When I had to take important decisions about my future, I did so with Ferrari in my heart, driven by my love for the team. I am very proud of what we have achieved together.

"Thanks to the efforts of the men and women of Maranello, on three occasions we came second in the Formula 1 World Championship, two of them fighting for the title right up to and including the final race, running in a championship winning position for many laps.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, these five years produced some of the best moments of my career and I also feel that, in leaving the team, it is family rather than friends I am leaving behind. Now I look to the future with great enthusiasm, knowing that part of my heart will always belong to the Prancing Horse. I want to thank each and everyone of the team for the trust they showed in me."


If you liked this post then share it with your friends on social media websites. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest F1 news.