Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has backed out-of-form world champion Kimi Raikkonen amid reports Fernando Alonso is in line to replace him.

Di Montezemolo played down speculation surrounding the Spaniard and insisted Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will stay as Ferrari's drivers for next season.

Raikkonen's current contract runs until the end of 2009.

And when questioned on whether the drivers would remain the same for 2009, di Montezemolo said: "Absolutely, yes."

Reigning Formula One champion Raikkonen has not won a race since April and has been behind Massa on the grid for the last three races in Germany, Hungary and the European event in Valencia last Sunday.

The Finn is third in the world championship standings with 57 points and trails Britain's Lewis Hamilton (first on 70 points) and Massa (second with 64 points).

BBC Sport Report

"amid reports Fernando Alonso is in line to replace him. "


W T F !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It was Alonso's Decision to move back to Renault. Who the hell comes up with this stuff. If a hint of that rumour is true, Im done with F1. Alonso Deserves NOTHING, absolutely zip, zilch.

People like Rovert Kubica are performing better than him, in a lesser car. He needs a good slap, and to be taken out of Motorsport. Setting a bad example.

thats a kiss of death!alonso is there cos he can drive(as he is provin in a renault)kubica should get a better drive next year an may be an outside bet for a ferrari seat que? craig shut up!

Nah, Kubica should stay where he is. They are working wonders with that car, and hes working hard to get the results.

Alonso goes out there, desnt get any higher than 5th, and complains. Hes not happy unless hes in the fastest car, but if hes so good, then he shouldnt need the fastest car.


Waste of space

if u had a clue ud realise that (i hate him) he does drive his arse off an outside the big two he is the best big team driver but vettel is doin too well?(wheres he next season?)

Im aware he tries hard. But hes not got to grips with the loss of Traction Control yet (I reckon), whereas a lot of the other drivers, mainly the younger ones, have. I cant remember what race exactly, think it was Montreal, but he spun twice, and blamed the car, but you could see he was trying too hard.

There are drivers out there though, as you say vettel, who really deserve a chance at the big time. Alonso has had his time with Renault, even at mclaren, and he wasted it at Mclaren, didnt get the results, blamed the team, voided his contract. To think of all the drivers who would have killed fo that opportunity

as a lover of rear wheel drive i loved it when lewis came on the scene cos he knows how to hang the back out an i tink he can do it!(title)vettel is the one to watch i think...

I agree with you completely there.
All the young guns are taking to ducks like water, cos theve risen through the ranks, without traction control. The older drivers have gotten lazy.

Its a shame there was a years difference, but Id love to see Lewis have a battle with Schumacher. Just to see the comparison.

agree wit u mate! wud love to see lewis v schuey how would coulthard fare against lewis in the same car?

thats sumit i would love to see aswell

Coulthard wouldnt I dont think.Not now anyway.

Maybe when he was younger and in his prime, but spose well never know now....

think lewis is the future,people need to stop thinkin ferrari an start thinkin we got a great talent!!!

Hes gonna be the new Scumacher, dominating etc...

Unless someone else comes along and gives him a challenge, like vettel may well do, or Kubica.

I hope they seriously do though