Fernando Alonso set for Ferrari deal

• Spaniard will replace Kimi Raikkonen from next year• 'He's pulled off the deal of his life,' says close friendThe two-times world champion Fernando Alonso has signed a deal with Ferrari starting in 2010. It could be officially announced in the run-up to this Sunday's Japanese grand prix at Suzuka.The Spanish driver, who finished third in Sunday's Singapore grand prix to score the Renault team's first podium finish of the season, will partner Felipe Massa after agreeing a three-year contract worth in excess of $30m (£19m).Although Kimi Raikkonen has a contract with Ferrari for 2010, it is believed that the Finn will return to the McLaren-Mercedes squad next year to partner Lewis Hamilton, replacing his fellow Scandinavian Heikki Kovalainen who has been disappointing this season.Neither Ferrari nor McLaren would officially comment on the matter, but a close friend of Alonso said he had little doubt that the Ferrari deal was already done. "Fernando isn't always the most demonstrative of guys, but when he was walking down the paddock he almost looked as though he wanted to leap into the air and click his heels together," he said. "He looked like a guy who'd pulled off the deal of his life."Ferrari currently have three other potential drivers they could call on in the event of Massa not being fully race fit by the start of next season, although the present signs are that the Brazilian driver is well down the road to recovery from head injuries sustained in practice for August's Hungarian grand prix.The other drivers on their books include Giancarlo Fisichella, Luca Badoer, Marc Gené and potentially the seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, although sources close to the Italian team have ruled out the prospect of the 40-year old making a full-time return to the Formula One field.Meanwhile, Jenson Button will be going to Suzuka knowing that a race win on this challenging high-speed track near Nagoya could set him up to clinch the world championship in Brazil a fortnight later. Button finished fifth at Singapore, crossing the line just ahead of his team-mate Rubens Barrichello, his only serious remaining rival for the title with three races of the season left to run.Next year Button will probably not have to worry about Barrichello driving a similar car as the veteran Brazilian is likely to be replaced by Nico Rosberg, a move which will further strengthen the ties between the Brawn team and their engine suppliers Mercedes-Benz who are anxious to have a German driver in the team.FerrariFormula OneRenaultMotor sportAlan Henryguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Schumacher should fear Alonso say Ferrari

Michael Schumacher could rue his departure from Ferrari because Fernando Alonso is perfectly placed to beat the German to the world title again, team boss Stefano Domenicali said today.

Michael Schumacher returns to F1

• Formula One legend to stand in for Ferrari's injured Massa• Fitness not a problem despite three years in retirementMichael Schumacher has put his retirement on hold to make the most dramatic Formula One comeback since Niki Lauda's return to the sport in 1982. Ferrari confirmed today that the seven-times world champion, who retired in 2006, will make a sensational return to the sport as a stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa. Subject to passing a medical, the 40-year-old German will return at the European grand prix in Valencia on 23 August.Schumacher has made it clear that he is stepping in only to help the team for which he won five of his titles and, in particular, Massa with whom he struck up a close friendship during their 2006 season driving for the Italian team.It is expected that Schumacher, who will not be able to drive the Ferrari before the first free practice session at the Spanish track due to the ban on testing during the racing season, will partner Kimi Raikkonen in the seven remaining races this season."The most important thing first is that, thank God, all the news concerning Felipe is positive," said Schumacher in a statement. "I was meeting this afternoon with [Ferrari principal] Stefano Domenicali and [company president] Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe."He added: "Though it is true that the chapter of Formula One has been completely closed to me for a long time, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation. But as the competitor that I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."Massa, who suffered head injuries during qualifying for last Sunday's Hungarian grand prix, continues his recuperation. The Brazilian has been moved out of intensive care, and his doctor, Dino Altmann, believes Massa will race again. "The improvements have gone beyond our wildest expectations," Altmann said.Former world champion Lauda believes Schumacher will thrive on his return. "Michael coming back is absolutely the best, most fantastic thing to happen in Formula One this season," Lauda said. "He will have absolutely no problem with physical fitness, because he has maintained his fitness to a very high level. When I was away from racing for two and a half years I did nothing but fly aeroplanes, not doing any training at all. Michael is different. He will be competitive, easily, for sure."The world champion, Lewis Hamilton, will realise a long-held dream when he races against Schumacher. In his autobiography, My Story, Hamilton remarked: "I was asked which former driver I would most like to race against, and I went for Michael Schumacher. I got a laugh by saying I was disappointed that he had bailed out the year I got to Formula One."Formula OneFerrariFelipe MassaMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Schumacher sets sights on eighth title

• German signs one-year contract with Ross Brawn's team• Schumacher will be 41-years-old upon return to trackMichael Schumacher believes he can win an unprecedented eighth Formula One world championship next season after confirming that he will come out of retirement to drive for Mercedes.Schumacher, who will be 41 on 3 January, has signed a one-year contract, with options for a further two seasons, to partner Nico Rosberg at the former Brawn team. Brawn GP collected the drivers' championship, through Jenson Button, and the constructors' title last season and Schumacher is targeting identical success for the rebranded squad."I have won it seven times and I'm with the team that won both titles last season, so what do you expect?" he said. "You can't expect anything else other than to go for the world championship and that's what we are aiming for."Schumacher secured the last of his championships with Ferrari in 2004 and has not raced in Formula One since 2006. The German will be the grid's oldest driver. Button, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, three likely title rivals, will be 30, 25 and 22 when the season starts.A neck injury sustained in a motorcycle accident in February ruled out Schumacher's proposed comeback for Ferrari last season as a substitute for the injured Felipe Massa. But he has no doubts about his fitness or competitiveness in joining the Mercedes team run by Ross Brawn, who managed Schumacher's seven world championships at Benetton and Ferrari."I am absolutely confident I can do what's necessary," Schumacher said. "When I returned to the go-kart [for a recent race against F1 drivers in Brazil], I straight away was on the pace. Now I have to prove it in the real car and go wheel to wheel with many of those guys."The motivation is pretty straightforward. I got a call from Ross at the beginning of November asking me to race again, telling me Mercedes were going to be involved. That seemed pretty good to me. I was tired of F1 by the end of 2006 and three years' absence gave back all the energy that I'm feeling right now. Having played around with motorbikes and go-karts, I feel ready for some serious stuff."Before I gave a final OK, I had to be sure 100% that there were no further issues with my neck. Unfortunately it was too close to the accident in the summer when I considered going to Ferrari after Felipe's accident. But the time is enough now to heal [the injury] completely. I have tested everything that I can and I have no problem whatsoever now."Brawn said the renewal of his association with Schumacher did not come at the expense of Button, who has joined Hamilton at McLaren for 2010. "We made a big effort to keep him but it wasn't possible in the end," he said. "I had a loyalty to Jenson but, when that started to look difficult, I started talking to Michael."Brawn said he had let Schumacher answer questions about his motivation and speed following a long absence from such a competitive arena. "I trust him implicitly and he told me he can do it. He has always been his own best critic, the man himself knows what he is capable of. I am very comfortable and confident and put my trust in Michael, and it won't be misplaced."Schumacher's lengthy list of records includes the most world titles, most race victories (91), most pole positions (68) and highest number of wins in one season (13 in 2004). His return with Brawn severs a 14-year connection with Ferrari, Schumacher having spent the past three years as a consultant and ambassador there."The only reason I seriously thought about my return is because it is old friends that have asked me. Working with Ross and Mercedes is now possible and I'm happy to give something back that Mercedes gave me in the early days," he said, referring to its support for his career before he reached Formula One.Hamilton welcomed the chance to race Schumacher, whom he described as "a legend". He said: "I used to watch Michael race when I was in the junior categories and I always hoped that I would be in F1 while he was still around. I'm really looking forward to seeing him on the track and back at the top. It's brilliant news."Michael SchumacherMercedes GPFormula OneMotor sportMaurice Hamiltonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Massa returns with a new 'baby' for reborn Ferrari

Felipe Massa looked every inch a man reborn yesterday; leaner, fitter and hungrier than ever as Ferrari unveiled the car on which he is pinning his hopes of winning the Formula One world championship he believes he was cheated out of by Renault's race-fixing in 2008.

Alonso ready to end career at Ferrari

Newly-announced Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso said Thursday that he wants to end his career with the famous Italian team and emulate Michael Schumacher's achievements.