Alonso to appear at Ferrari 'World Finals'

The news is strictly unofficial, but Fernando Alonso is tipped to appear at Ferrari's 'World Finals' event at the Valencia circuit this weekend.

The Italian team, and the 28-year-old double world champion, cannot confirm the news, because Spaniard Alonso remains strictly under contract to Renault until the last day of 2009.

Ferrari confirmed Alonso's current status recently, when the Maranello based team's press department said he is not yet "an official (team) member due to his contractual commitments regarding image management, which still tie him to his previous team and his sponsors".

The winner of 21 grands prix will therefore wear casual clothing rather than Ferrari's iconic red at Valencia, but - after his recent private visit to Maranello - it will nonetheless be Alonso's first public appearance with his new F1 employer.

Ferrari's World Finals event combines the decisive races of the Italian, European and North American series of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy and the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge.