Italian GP Review: Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen: Position 3° Time 1:16.52.370 Gap +30.664 Laps 53 Chassis 279 Giancarlo Fisichella: Position 9° Time 1:17.48.562 Gap +86.856 Laps 53 Chassis 280

Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren

The rumour mill remains in full swing despite heading into the off-season and the next driver that could hold the key for those still jostling for position, is Kimi Raikkonen...  

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

Kimi Raikkonen: 'In Formula One too many unpleasant things are going on'

Paris, not quite in the springtime but a place for new beginnings nonetheless. Kimi Raikkonen could have been in Valencia last week, exchanging gunslinger glances with Michael Schumacher. Instead the former Formula One world champion is preparing for his sabbatical as a much-needed, glitzy adornment to a revamped World Rally Championship that is thirsty for the limelight.

Ferrari's Raikkonen captures Belgian Grand Prix

Kimi Raikkonen won the Belgian Grand Prix for Ferrari’s first success of the Formula One season on Sunday after championship leader Jenson Button crashed on the opening lap. Italian Giancarlo Fisichella finished second, just 0.9 of second behind the Finn, to give his Force India team their first points in 30 starts fter securing their first pole position the day before

Raikkonen Wins F1's Belgian GP for 4th Time

Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari holds off Fisichella for 4th win at F1's Belgian GP; Button crashes