A Ferrari test driver has backed Fernando Alonso’s apparent plan to join the Maranello based team in the future. But despite speculation to the contrary, Marc Gene, also a Spaniard, says he can not envisage the 26-year-old double world champion in a Ferrari as early as 2009.

It is rumored that Alonso is fervently pushing for a single-year contract for 2008 so that he is free to join Ferrari the year after.

“I don’t think he has said that himself,” Gene, who is 33, is quoted as saying by the Spanish news agency EFE. “Anyway, Ferrari already has contracts - Kimi for two more years and Felipe for three. And this is a team that honors what it has signed, so until 2010 there is no vacancy,” he added. “But I can understand if he wants to come here - all drivers dream about it.”

Gene thinks Alonso would fit in better at Ferrari than he did at McLaren, even if the Spaniard and Ferrari chiefs have not always seen eye to eye. “It is true that in recent years there has been some criticism of Ferrari (by Alonso), but I think there has been a change of attitude that is appreciated. Many other Ferrari people think the same. We have nothing against Fernando and consider him to be a great driver,” Gene said.

He advises the former Renault and McLaren driver to make up his mind quickly about 2008. “He would need to do some testing before the next season, and there is really not too much time left,” Gene said. (GMM)