Fernando Alonso is rumoured to have signed a deal to race for Ferrari in 2011 or earlier if Ferrari's drivers falter.
According to Italian sports paper La Gazzetta Sportiva, the two-time F1 champion could replace Kimi Raikkonen if he fails to deliver.Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was vague about the team's long-term driver options when chatting with journalists at a recent holiday dinner, the paper reported.
"We have (Felipe) Massa and Raikkonen under contract for the next two years," Montezemolo said. "As for the future, we'll see. Alonso is a great champion, but life is long. He's young."
Gazzetta indicated that the pressure is on Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, to deliver. Ferrari officials declined to comment on the report.
Last month, Alonso opted to stay with Renault, signing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the French Formula One team through 2010.