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Alonso thanks Massa and welcomes Raikkonen

ESPN Staff
September 11, 2013 « Alonso 'a great driver' - Raikkonen | Both drivers start equal - Domenicali »
Fernando Alonso will have a new team-mate in 2014 © Sutton Images
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Fernando Alonso has thanked Felipe Massa for his support as Ferrari team-mate over four seasons together.

Massa will be replaced by Kimi Raikkonen in 2014, bringing an end to the current driver pairing which Ferrari has fielded since 2010. In that time, Alonso has twice fought for the world championship until the final race of the season - with Massa deployed in a clear support role - and Alonso praised Massa's loyalty to the team.

"I want to thank Felipe for all the support he has given me and the team during this journey we have made together over all these years," Alonso told the official Ferrari website. "Come the end of the season, it will not be easy to say goodbye to a team-mate like him. He has always been truly professional and loyal to the team and I am sure that right to the end, he will do his utmost for the Scuderia that he loves so much."

Having thanks Massa, Alonso's welcome to Raikkonen was short.

"I'd like to welcome my new travelling companion: together, starting next year, we will have to tackle a very demanding technical and racing challenge."

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