F1: Alonso – I Will Be Turning Point For Ferrari

Formula 1

F1: Alonso – I Will Be Turning Point For Ferrari

The Italian press on Monday sounded relieved that Ferrari's disastrous 2009 campaign is over...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted November 02, 2009 GMM Newswire

Teammates Felipe Massa (Left) and Fernando Alonso (Right) are downplaying talks of an emerging rift between the two. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Fernando Alonso (Left) left Renault last year for Ferrari where he will be teamed with Felipe Massa (Right) in 2010. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

The Italian press on Monday sounded relieved that Ferrari's disastrous 2009 campaign is over.

Even with Lewis Hamilton's McLaren breaking down in the Abu Dhabi finale, the British team still dropped the uncompetitive Ferrari to fourth place in the constructors' championship.

It marked the first time in almost two decades that the popular Maranello based outfit has fallen off the teams' title 'podium'.

"The symbol of Ferrari's 2009 defeat is Giancarlo Fisichella," observed La Gazzetta dello Sport, "who after the disappointing experience was close to tears. But the pale face of Raikkonen showed no feelings nor sadness on his departure," the sports newspaper added.

Tuttosport immediately turned its attention to the arrival of two time champion Fernando Alonso, who hopes to travel to Maranello before the end of the year for initial seat and earplug fittings.

The two time champion, Alonso is leaving Renault, a team he was with for three years and will replace Kimi Raikkonen.

"Alonso is confident, saying 'I will be the turning point'," Tuttosport added.