According to reports from the Singapore paddock, lawyers were working all weekend long on the details of Kimi Raikkonen's release from his 2010 contract with the red team.

'Auto Motor und Sport', has stated that Ferrari will announce Fernando Alonso as their new driver for the 2010 season. The announcement is expected to be made on Thursday before the usual press conference at the circuit in Suzuka Japan.

Further to the rumors, it is believed that Kimi has already signed in agreement in principal with McLaren a few weeks.  This would see Kimi and Hamilton joined as teammates at what seems to be a McLaren which has finally found it's pace.  Many believe this move may haunt Ferrari in the future.

Not to add fuel to the fire, however, it must be noted that Alonso and Renault have both made statements this past weekend that indicate a parting of ways between the two parties....the most obvious coming from Renault,

"It is a great pleasure to be back at the highest level and I thank the team for its incredible work,” he said. “The team knew how not to fall apart and I think we're a top team again. Alonso is a great champion, he clocked the fastest lap in race, he did the most of the strategy and fight til the end. I think Renault will always be his family. We will miss him but he will miss us too."

But what of Kimi?  It is the opinion of this reporter, that  the way Ferrari has  handled this whole ordeal with regards to the treatment of Kimi  has been less than admirable.  It has been some time now that the rumors have been swirling of Alonso's signing.  With the Santander sponsorship deal signed earlier, it seemed to be all but a matter of time.  In true Kimi fashion, he has been quiet and calm.  He will always be a Ferrari Champion and one damn fast driver.  Many have questioned his motivation, as he has had some less than spectacular drives, also failing to keep up with team mate Massa recently.  There seems to be far less drama following Kimi than Alonso, who has been indirectly involved in two of the biggest scandals to rock the world of Formula One in it's history!

Time will tell if this is a smart move on Ferrari's part or not. 

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