New Ferrari signing Fernando Alonso says he would like to follow in Michael Schumacher’s footsteps and win multiple world titles for the team.

The Spaniard has signed for three years and will partner Felipe Massa in 2010.

“It will not be easy but I would like to do the same as Michael and win many championships with Ferrari,” he said.

“It is going to be very difficult but I am in the best team for my career. We share many things, like the passion for competition and giving 100%.”

Asked if he woulod be able to live up to the legacy of Schumacher, who won five of his record seven titles with Ferrari, Alonso said he was not going to Ferrari “to do the same as Michael, but I would like to do the same.”

Ferrari have this season had their least competitive year since 1995, and have won just one race, courtesy of Kimi Raikkonen, who is leaving the team to make way for Alonso.

The team have abandoned developing their current car to concentrate on next year’s model, and Alonso said he was optimistic Ferrari would be competitive from the first race of 2010.

“Hopefully we can fight for races and championships from next year. I do not know what we can do together but I will put all my input and experience there and I will be working for Ferrari 365 days a year.

“I know there will be pressure to win titles. It is not enough one win a year. In the next few years hopefully there will be one at least. Hopefully we can fight until the last race.

“You’re never sure. We saw in F1 this year it is difficult to predict what is going to happen the year after but Ferrari has been dominating F1 for the last 10 years.

“It is the most famous, most popular team in the world and you become a legend when you drive that car whatever the performance is. It is very attractive to drive for Ferrari.” – Bbc