Despite the sound of feathers being ruffled up and down the Formula One pit-lane following Fernando Alonso's shock move to McLaren in 2007, Ferrari insists that it will not begin thinking about its own line-up until next year.

Although not directly involved in the Alonso deal, the Scuderia could have played a part in McLaren boss Ron Dennis' thinking, particularly if the rumours about Kimi Raikkonen moving to Italy proved to be true. Although the Finn, Ferrari and Michael Schumacher have all attempted to play down speculation about their various futures since the story first surfaced in the summer, all are expected to be affected.

The Scuderia, however, has reacted to the news of Alonso's move - and the immediate claims that Raikkonen's move to Maranello must now be true - by insisting that no decisions would be taken just yet.

"I expect it will be late spring before we have to make any decisions," a spokesman told Britain's Guardian newspaper.

That timescale, of course, ties in with Willi Weber's assertion that Schumacher is unlikely to make his mind up about possible retirement before the start of the 2006 campaign, having also promised an announcement early next year.