Schumacher welcomes Alonso move to Ferrari

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has welcomed Ferrari’s signing of Fernando Alonso for the 2010 season, saying he helped lure the Spanish driver.

“Fernando with Ferrari, that’s something I like a lot,” Schumacher said on his personal website.

“I was involved from the very beginning in this decision and I always liked the idea.”

Schumacher, who won five of his record seven drivers’ world championships with Ferrari, works as a consultant with the Italian team.

The move of two-time champion Alonso from Renault is the most major driver swap since Schumacher joined Ferrari from Benetton in 1996.