Alonso rubbishes Ferrari 'rumours'

The Italian and Spanish media has this week reported that Alonso is set to drive for Ferrari in 2010, probably replacing Kimi Raikkonen if the Finn decides to pursue a career in the World Rally Championship.

The Finn will make his WRC debut later this year in Rally Finland, a move the Italian press has seen as an indication that the former world champion is ready to leave F1.

Renault driver Alonso, however, denied he had any contracts with Ferrari, and said he had not even talked to the team about his future.

"They are only rumours. They have been happening in the last four or five years," Alonso told reporters in Germany.

When asked if he had been talking to Ferrari or if you had a Ferrari contract, he said: "No, and no."

Alonso did admit having a competitive car will be an important factor in deciding where his future lies.

"It is important, but it is not the end of the world," he said. "I am missing winning - there are no doubts. I want to win and to have a performing car as soon as possible, but I also understand that this is sport and it happens everywhere - not only in motor racing.

"It happens in tennis, it happens in NBA, in football. Sometimes you go up and down in your career. In motorsport, it is even more important to have the car and the package.

"We saw with Michael (Schumacher), maybe the greatest driver ever, two world championships in Benetton and then five years in Ferrari waiting because this is not only the human part, it is also the team and the package. So, I put myself in that part of my career, in stand by, and I am preparing myself very strong physically and mentally."

The two-time champion is yet to finish on the podium this season with Renault and is down in ninth place in the standings.

Ferrari has also struggled this year, having scored just one podium finish in eight races.