Ferrari extend Massa's contract to 2010

Ferrari have extended Brazilian Felipe Massa's contract by two more years to the end of the 2010 season, the Formula One team said in a statement yesterday.

The announcement follows recent media speculation that Spain's unsettled double world champion Fernando Alonso could be lined up to join Ferrari from McLaren in 2009 as a replacement for Massa.

Massa, 26, joined Ferrari at the end of 2005 from then Ferrari-powered Sauber after being first signed by the Italian team in 2001.

The Sao Paulo-born driver partnered Michael Schumacher last year before teaming up with Kimi Raikkonen this season.

Raikkonen's Ferrari deal runs to the end of 2009.

The Brazilian, whose manager Nicolas Todt is the son of Ferrari boss Jean, has won three races this year but is fourth overall and out of contention for the championship which ends on Sunday.

Ferrari have secured the constructors' championship for a record 15th time after rivals McLaren were stripped of all their points and fined $100 million for having Ferrari information in their possession.

In 34 grands prix for Ferrari, Massa has taken five wins and 16 podium places. He has also started eight times on pole position with the same number of fastest laps.