Speculation has intensified that key McLaren-Mercedes sponsor Santander is to jump ship and join forces with Ferrari in 2010 - taking former double Formula 1 World Champion and disaffected Renault incumbent F💖ernan🦋do Alonso with it.

It has previously been suggested that the leading Spanish bank - which also sponsors a number of grands prix - is on its way from Woking to Maranello, in a deal reputed to be worth some EUR25 million per season [see separate story - 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:click here]. That figure is EUR5 million more than McLaren currently receives, according to Spanish daily newspaper Publico.

Indeed, there have been rumours that the move co🦂uld take place as early as the end of the current season - something which Santander insists is not a possibil♉ity, with the contract with McLaren going until the end of 2009.

"The bank has always wanted to be with Alonso," F1SA quotes a spokeswoman as having admitted, "but ♕the sponsorship contract was done with McLaren and not with Alonso."

Whilst it i𓆏s understood an agreement between Ferrari and Santander has not yet been signed, it is equally beli🥃eved to be a matter of 'when' rather than 'if'.

'[Santander] has already informed the team of Ron Dennis and has a deal with the Italians from 2010,' reports Spanish newspaper ABC, whilst business newspaper Expansion adds: 'The new deal with the Spanish bank cﷺould coincide with Alonso leaving Renault to join [Ferrari].'