Ferrari confirms Allison signing

Ferrari on Monday confirmed reports James Allison is joining the famous Italian team.

We reported on Saturday that the Maranello based team is buying out the remainder of former technical director and Briton Allison’s Lotus contract.

"It is believed Allison could get to work (at Ferrari) in the early autumn", working alongside Pat Fry and Nicolas Tombazis, the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat had claimed.

Indeed, in a media statement on Monday, Ferrari said Allison will start work as chassis technical director on 1 September.

It means Pat Fry is stepping sideways into a new position, director of engineering.

Both men will report directly to team boss Stefano Domenicali, who left Budapest on Sunday having to deny reports Ferrari could lose Fernando Alonso to Red Bull at the end of the year.

Asked if he is worried, the Italian insisted: "No.

"For sure, Fernando is an asset to the team. First of all we have a contract with him," he is quoted by the Daily Mail.

"We need him to work very closely with everyone because after all this is a difficult moment in the season.

"It’s about teamwork. We have to deliver a job. Full stop. This is the same for everyone, not only for him," Domenicali added.