Ferrari announce Alonso's departure

(ANSA) - Rome, November 20 - Ferrari announced Thursday that Spanish driver Fernando Alonso is leaving its Formula One team. Germany's four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is reportedly set to take Alonso's place with the Italian glamour outfit. Alonso, who came runner-up three times after joining Ferrari in 2010 but failed to add to his two world titles largely because of the team's failure to give him a competitive car, is tipped to join his former team McLaren. "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," Alonso, who won the 2005 and 2006 F1 world titles with Renault, said in a statement on the team's website. "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 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. 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".