From GMM

Luca di Montezemolo (photo) nearly dropped a bombshell on Friday when he announced that Fernando Alonso would join Ferrari - "sooner or later".

The Ferrari president, who admitted he liked the Spaniard and would describe him as a "great driver", was speaking to Spanish reporters in the Monza paddock.

So too was Emilio Botin, the boss of Ferrari's new and major Spanish sponsor, the bank Santander.

Luca di Montezemolo and Emilio Botin of Banco Santander.

"Of course I would like to sign Alonso," Botin is quoted as saying by Diario AS newspaper, "but I can only appoint directors of the bank. Ferrari are the ones who make the decisions about drivers."

However, like Montezemolo, the hints about Alonso's future came thick and fast. When told that masses of Spanish fans are dreaming of seeing Alonso in a red car, Botin answered: "I have always said that people should be optimistic."

Also at the centre of the speculation is Kimi Raikkonen, who according to widespread paddock gossip would be the driver to make room at Ferrari for Alonso.

Asked on Friday by La Stampa newspaper if he wants to finish his career with Ferrari, the Finn answered: "I did think so, but sometimes in F1 things change overnight, so who knows?"

Raikkonen repeated his regular line about his 2010 contract, and told the interviewer: "Rumours and leaks are your problem, not mine.

"This is my team. Nothing has changed and nobody has said anything to me, because there is nothing to say."





Photo Credit : WRI2