Sebastian Vettel hopes to emulate “childhood idol” and fellow German Michael Schumacher after being announced as a Ferrari driver for next season.

Ferrari confirmed the four-time world champion will join up with Kimi Raikkonen at the Italian Formula One giants from 2015.

In a short statement on Twitter the ‘Scuderia’ said: “Sebastian Vettel will officially be a Ferrari driver in 2015 ! He will partner Kimi Raikkonen #WelcomeSeb.”

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The announcement was made minutes after Spaniard Fernando Alonso’s departure from Ferrari was confirmed.

The 33-year-old two-time F1 champion had said earlier this season that his future was elsewhere, likely at McLaren.

Ferrari said Vettel, currently racing with Red Bull, will sign a three-year deal with the Italian giants, who have not won a world drivers’ title since 2007 when Raikkonen triumphed during his previous spell with the team.

“In the Scuderia Ferrari roll of honour of great drivers, Fernando Alonso will always occupy a special place,” Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci said in a statement.

“We offer him our heartfelt thanks for what has been an extraordinary adventure with the Scuderia, when in the past five years, he twice came so close to winning the world championship.”

Vettel, who has won four consecutive world titles in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, said he was delighted to be given the chance to emulate seven-time champion and compatriot Schumacher.

“The next phase of my Formula One career will be with Ferrari: for me it’s the realisation of a childhood dream,” said Vettel.

“Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari was my childhood idol so it’s a great honour for me to be given the chance to drive a Ferrari.

“I already had a small taste of what this team is about when I won at Monza for the first time in 2008 using an engine from the Prancing Horse team,” said the German referring to Ferrari’s logo.

“The team has a great tradition in the sport and I’m extremely motivated to get the team back to winning ways.

“I will give everything to make sure it happens.”

Alonso, who won the F1 title with Renault in 2005 and 2006, expressed his frustration with Ferrari last year after the Hungarian Grand Prix. That earned him a public rebuke from the team and fuelled rumours that he was on his way out.

Alonso has won 11 races for Ferrari and secured 44 podium places. His final race will be on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He is fifth in the overall standings and has managed only two podium positions this season. His last win was at the Spanish GP last May.

Alonso came close to winning the title in the final race in Abu Dhabi four years ago, entering with an eight-point lead. But Vettel won the first of his four straight titles with Red Bull that year.

McLaren’s seats are currently taken by former champion Jenson Button and promising driver Kevin Magnussen of Denmark.

On Tuesday, McLaren said it has decided to put off any announcement on its 2015 driver line-up until next month.