Spanish bank to join Ferrari, ahead of Alonso

Spain's largest bank, Santander, is to sponsor Ferrari from 2010, which could facilitate the arrival of Spanish driver Fernando Alonso to the Italian Formula One team, Spanish newspapers said Friday.
A spokeswoman for Banco Santander would not confirm the reports, but said the bank's current sponsorship deal with rival team McLaren-Mercedes ends in 2009.
"The bank has always wanted to be with Alonso but the sponsorship contract was done with McLaren and not with Alonso," she said.
Santander reached a deal with McLaren when Alonso joined the team last year. But after an unhappy season with the British team, Alonso rejoined Renault, where he won the world championship in 2005 and 2006.
After a disappointing season so far with the French team, he has recently been linked with a move to Ferrari.
"Santander leaves McLaren and is going to Ferrari. The company has already informed the team of Ron Dennis and has a deal with the Italians from 2010," the newspaper ABC said, without indicating its sources.
The bank will pay Ferrari 25 millions euros (39.5 million dollars) per year compared to the 15 to 20 millions they pay McLaren, the daily Publico said, noting that the contract has not yet been signed.
The business newspaper Expansion said "the new deal with the Spanish bank could coincide with Alonso leaving Renault to join the Italian team".