23/09/2009
NEWS STORY
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said that his team will be announcing its 2010 line-up in a "few weeks" as he hinted that Kimi Raikkonen, despite having a contract, is on the way out of the Italian outfit.
Speaking at the Institute of Military Aviation Science in Florence, where he was attending the inaugural ceremony of a new specialist second level course in Leadership and Strategic Analysis, di Montezemolo said: "We will have a Brazilian driver because he deserves another chance given that, thank God, he is fine.
"Otherwise," he added, "we are mulling the best choice but we still have time. We will decide in a few weeks."
While there has been continued speculation as to Fernando Alonso joining the Maranello outfit, with many expecting an announcement at Monza, the 'Crashgate' saga has overshadowed everything, despite Ferrari signing a five-year deal with Spanish bank Santander.
On the other hand, while the team is hoping to welcome Felipe Massa back to the fold, it is not yet known when - or if - he will return to full fitness.
At a time when there remain question marks over the future of a number of teams, di Montezemolo also reaffirmed Ferrari's commitment to F1.
"We have been competing since 1950" he said. "During both the good and the bad times, we have never pulled out, and as a constructor, we have won the most.
"We have taken a few years holiday because the regulations weren't that clear," he added. "Next year we'll be back with a vengeance. In saying that though, this year isn't over yet."