Ferrari have announced that Fernando Alonso will no longer drive for them following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, finally confirming what many already knew.
The Spaniard has agreed a deal to join McLaren for 2015 where he will partner either Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen, though that deal isn’t to be officially announced until December.
A statement from the Italian outfit confirmed the decision was by “common consent” and that he will always “occupy a special place” in Ferrari’s history.
“In the Scuderia Ferrari roll of honour of great drivers, Fernando Alonso will always occupy a special place,” said team principal Marco Mattiacci.
“We offer him our heartfelt thanks for what has been an extraordinary adventure with the Scuderia, when in the past five years, he twice came so close to winning the world championship.
“I am sure that a great driver like Fernando will always hold the Prancing Horse dear to his heart and I also expect the Ferrari fans will continue to hold him in high regard in his future endeavours.”
Alonso called the decision to leave a difficult one, but one he has taken careful consideration over.
“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 the Spaniard.
“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,” he added.
“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.”
The team has yet to confirm who will replace Alonso, but it’s expected that Sebastian Vettel will take up the vacant seat alongside Kimi Raikkonen.
