Alonso wants to end career at Ferrari

The two-time champion will replace Kimi Raikkonen at the historic Italian team, having signed a three-year contract with an option to continue until the end of 2014.

Alonso, 28, said on Thursday he is hoping Ferrari will be his last F1 team.

"Hopefully I can continue as long as I want and I can finish my career here with a lot of wins," Alonso told reporters at Suzuka.

"I really think that Ferrari will be my last team, as I said, leaving Ferrari to change teams is a step backwards. Ferrari is more than a team and I want to finish my career there."

The Renault driver, who was originally planning to join the team in 2011, admitted driving for Ferrari was a dream come true for him.

"Very special, no doubts," he said. "All the drivers dream one day of driving for the Scuderia Ferrari and this dream has come true for me and I'm extremely happy and I'm ready for the challenge in 2010."

The Spanish driver, world champion in 2005 and 2006, added that he would like to emulate Michael Schumacher's achievements at Ferrari.

Seven-time champion Schumacher made history at the Italian team, taking five consecutive titles.

"It will obviously not be easy and I would like to do the same as Michael, by winning many championships, but I think that it will be very difficult," Alonso said.

"I will go there to be in the best team possible for my career and Ferrari and I share many things together, such as the passion for competition and to give 100 per cent every race. I think that this is the best destination of my career."

He added: "Hopefully I can give to them the maximum performance in the car, from a driving point of view and outside the car I can be part of the team and be as professional as possible and to try and help the team produce the best car and give the best performance. I think all the drivers try to do this and sometimes you succeed.

"I would be extremely happy, winning a championship is something special and winning with Ferrari would be more special, but I cannot tell you now as I haven't yet experienced it."