Fernando Alonso is arriving at Ferrari because the famous Italian team
needs a race driver in the Michael Schumacher-mould.
That is the admission of team boss Stefano Domenicali, as he contemplates
Ferrari's 2010 season after deciding to replace the rally-bound Kimi
Raikkonen with Spaniard Alonso.
"Ferrari needs someone for the team similar to Schumi," the Italian is
quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Bild.
Domenicali said Finn Raikkonen, 30, was "very fast, but also very
closed".
"In a car that is capable of winning, he was and is perfect," the
Maranello based outfit's team principal continued. "But if the car needs
to be developed and the team fired up, Alonso is better."
The early signs are that Alonso, 28, might clash with fellow Latin and
incumbent Felipe Massa, especially in the light of Alonso's problems at
McLaren in 2007.
But Domenicali said: "I've spoken to Fernando about (what happened at)
McLaren. He felt betrayed, and also (said) that his relationship with Lewis
was not always correct.
"At Maranello that will not happen. I can guarantee that," he added.
The Auto Bild report also said Ferrari's 2010 car will feature distinctive
nose bumps, as seen at the front of the competitive Red Bull car of this
year.
