Official: Vettel joins Ferrari on three-year deal

Vettel has raced for Red Bull since 2009, but his departure from the team was announced during last month's Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

While Red Bull chiefs were quick to name Ferrari as his future squad, the Italian marque waited to confirm Alonso's exit before officially welcoming Vettel.

"The next stage of my Formula 1 career will be spent with Scuderia Ferrari and for me that means the dream of a lifetime has come true," said Vettel.

"When I was a kid, Michael Schumacher in the red car was my greatest idol and now it's an incredible honour to finally get the chance to drive a Ferrari.

"I already got a small taste of what the Ferrari spirit means, when I took my first win at Monza in 2008, with an engine from the Prancing Horse built in Maranello.

"The Scuderia has a great tradition in this sport and I am extremely motivated to help the team get back to the top. I will put my heart and soul into making it happen."

Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci believes that Vettel will be decisive in the outfit's quest to return to the front of the Formula 1 grid.

"Scuderia Ferrari has decided to put its faith in the youngest multiple champion in the history of Formula 1," said Mattiacci.

"In Formula 1 terms, Sebastian Vettel is a unique combination of youthfulness and experience and he brings with him that sense of team spirit which will prove invaluable when, together with Kimi, they tackle the challenges awaiting us, as we aim to be front runners again as soon as possible.

"With Sebastian, we all share a thirst for victory as well as enthusiasm, a strong work ethic and tenacity; key elements for all the Scuderia members to write together a new winning chapter in the history of Ferrari."