Ferrari has denied media reports about the impressive terms of Fernando Alonso's new contract.
Some Spanish reports this week suggested that the 27-year-old former double world champion will earn 25m euros per year, which is less than the retainer enjoyed since 2007 by the man he replaces, Kimi Raikkonen.
It has also been reported that in addition to Spaniard Alonso's 3 year deal are contracted options for 3 further years, and that terminating Raikkonen's contract is costing Ferrari a whopping 45m euros, partly paid for by the Spanish sponsor Santander.
"The numbers talked about have absolutely nothing to do with reality," said a report on Ferrari's official website.
"It's easy to write numbers, forgetting that the world has changed recently. At Ferrari a lot of calculating is done and attention is not only paid to the costs of the operational structure, but also as far as the drivers are concerned."
The Ferrari report also scoffed at suggestions that Alonso is set to bring with him from Renault some of his preferred engineers.
"It's quite funny reading about the arrival of technicians, as if there weren't any professionals in Maranello, able to plan and manage victorious single seaters and drivers," said the Italian team.
