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Alonso set for Ferrari switch with Santander |
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Jul.9 (GMM) Major McLaren sponsor Santander, a Spanish bank, is to switch allegiances to Ferrari for 2009 and beyond, according to reports. German magazine Sport Bild claims that the deal is worth up to 25 million euros per season, and could involve the driving services of former double world champion Fernando Alonso.
Santander began sponsoring McLaren last year, coinciding with 26-year-old Alonso's multi-season contract to race with the Mercedes-powered outfit.
His relationship with the team famously turned sour, however, and it now emerges that Santander wants to follow suit and depart.
Sport Bild says the Santander-Ferrari-Alonso deal involves lettering on the drivers' overalls as well as front and rear wing signage, and a 30 million euros per year contribution to Alonso's retainer.
Alonso said at Silverstone that he is waiting until as late as September before determining the identity of his team for 2009.
Fascinatingly, Ferrari - albeit with both current drivers already under contract - often announces its next driver lineup at Monza, which this year takes place on September 14.
Santander boss Emilio Botin was at Silverstone for last weekend's British grand prix.
The Spanish newspaper Diario AS speculates that Alonso's teammate at Ferrari next year would be Kimi Raikkonen, following Felipe Massa's disastrous showing at Silverstone last weekend.
"I don't know if the rumours are true," Ferrari test driver and Spaniard Marc Gene told sport.es, "but I don't see there would be a problem having Kimi with Alonso, or Felipe with Alonso, or staying with what we have now."
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