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vcs316
23rd June 2010, 10:17
One is the man who made Formula One racing the global force that it is today. The other is the most successful driver of the modern era. Together they know the sport inside out - and both are uniquely qualified to provide an insight into the enigma that is Ferrari. Fernando Alonso has fulfilled his ambition of driving for the Scuderia after securing two world titles elsewhere, while Bernie Ecclestone admits Ferrari is one element of Formula One that you just can’t put a value on...

Q: Bernie, Fernando, what makes you so sure that the Ferrari-Alonso combination will bring the same success as Ferrari-Schumacher?
Fernando Alonso: I don’t know. I just hope it will. I have the impression that the people enjoy this very combination worldwide. Especially in Spain and Italy the vibe is very enthusiastic and this makes me very proud. The rumours that we would join forces had already been there for years anyway.
Bernie Ecclestone: Still there is a big difference between Michael and Fernando. When Michael was with Ferrari he barely had any rivals. The usual procedure in these years was that Michael got pole and won the race. But take a look at Fernando’s opponents today: both Red Bull pilots, both McLaren pilots and Fernando can get the pole position and win the race. The competition is far bigger, so you cannot really compare the two situations.

Q: Bernie, even though you have many competitive racing drivers around, you personally said that were you still a team principal, you would go for the combination of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel…

BE: This is totally correct.

Q: Are there any specific reasons?

BE: Of course there are. I personally think that Sebastian has the class to win a world championship, which Fernando has already proven. It is a matter of quality. In my opinion both of them would be an ideal line-up as they would complement each other. Am I right Fernando? Sebastian would not have any issues with you. What about yourself?

FA: Right, I would not have any problems with Sebastian.

BE: This is what I am saying. Both of them would treat each other with respect, regardless of being the biggest opponents.

Q: Employing both of them would not come cheap. Would you put that much money on the table Bernie?

BE: Of course I would.

Q: Fernando, when was the crucial meeting with Ferrari, the one that made you certain that your dream of driving for this team would come true?

FA: When I left McLaren at the end of 2007 it was already in my head that I wanted to be a Ferrari driver at some point of time. This was my goal. I did not exactly have my best time at McLaren. The history of Formula One shows clearly that Ferrari and McLaren are the strongest teams. To make my career perfect I knew that I had to go to Ferrari. At the beginning it was just a dream, but last summer the critical meetings were put in place to make this dream come true. After that everything went really quickly and I did not let this incredible opportunity pass me by.

Q: We can see that you are feeling quite comfortable in the red overalls…

FA: This is absolutely true. They fit just like a glove! The Italian and Spanish mentalities are much alike - and also the lifestyle. And both of us have the same passion for racing. You could say that two have come together who have belonged together for a long time.

Q: Bernie, you have followed Fernando’s career since the beginning - his first season at Minardi, his season with McLaren, his years and successes with Flavio Briatore and Renault. Being CEO of the Formula One Group, you must have been ecstatic to hear that Ferrari had committed to Fernando…

BE: Yes, especially because Fernando is very much a typical Ferrari pilot. He is a fighter with a lion’s heart and has a passion for competing and racing. This simply fits.

FA: That’s right. It also makes me very proud to be part of Ferrari’s history and its drivers. But I also feel a big responsibility being a Ferrari pilot. Ferrari has the biggest fan base all over the globe, and this is unbelievable. I also know that I have to deliver the performance - but I am absolutely ready to do so.

Q: What is it that makes Ferrari so special?

FA: For example, the huge passion to work for Ferrari. You can feel it in every single person working for the company. All of them love Ferrari. If you visit the headquarters in Maranello you can literally feel and inhale this passion. All of them love it to be in the factory at 8am. All of them enjoy seeing a Ferrari on the street, as we all know that we have contributed to this very passion.

BE: And let’s be frank, there is no driver on the grid who does not have the dream of being a Ferrari driver at some point in time. And I am sure about this, as Ferrari transmits this very special vibe. But for sure, the pressure on the drivers is much bigger than anywhere else. Fernando you can agree to this. Of course you wanted to win at Renault, too, but the passion driving for Ferrari, the immense pressure to deliver the performance - isn’t this exactly what a driver wants to experience once in his career?

FA: Exactly. I love this pressure. I love the feeling to absolutely deliver the performance. I love it to start the race as the favourite. This is why it was particularly difficult for me in the last two seasons at Renault. To know after qualifying that you are at best eighth or ninth is not really my thing. This is why I prefer being in this situation now. The bigger the pressure is, the more people expect from me - and the more comfortable I feel.

Q: Bernie, you have sharp business acumen. Why is Ferrari so special for you?

BE: There will always be two things that will never lose their value: Formula One as a product, and Ferrari as a brand. Without wanting to step on anyone’s toes, I have to say the rest comes and goes and in the end it doesn’t matter. This is somewhat inexplicable and has a certain tragic touch to it, but in the end it is exactly like this.

Q: Fernando, you said you wanted to finish your career with Ferrari. That would imply that you are in there for the long haul…

FA: Yes, I hope so. This is at least my goal. I want to bring the performance, always give the maximum and triumph in the end, as long and as often as possible.

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2010/6/10934.html

Rishu
23rd June 2010, 11:24
Q: Bernie, even though you have many competitive racing drivers around, you personally said that were you still a team principal, you would go for the combination of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel…

BE: This is totally correct.

Q: Are there any specific reasons?

BE: Of course there are. I personally think that Sebastian has the class to win a world championship, which Fernando has already proven. It is a matter of quality. In my opinion both of them would be an ideal line-up as they would complement each other. Am I right Fernando? Sebastian would not have any issues with you. What about yourself?

FA: Right, I would not have any problems with Sebastian.


http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2010/6/10934.html



Sign of things to come?:-P

Greig
23rd June 2010, 11:58
Only if Alonso signs for Red Bull or Mercedes :-)

Rishu
23rd June 2010, 12:21
Only if Alonso signs for Red Bull or Mercedes :-)

You mean Vettel has no chance at Ferrari?

Boy o boy! but i agree with Bernie, they would make a lethal combination..........

CurdaNeta
23rd June 2010, 13:01
Man! That's a lot of praising by Bernie to ferrari!

NJB13
23rd June 2010, 13:38
Man! That's a lot of praising by Bernie to ferrari!

In the end BE knows how his bread gets buttered, that's why he is still there and MadMax is not

Greig
23rd June 2010, 13:42
You mean Vettel has no chance at Ferrari?

Boy o boy! but i agree with Bernie, they would make a lethal combination..........

Maybe not, seems to me he is more likely to be a replacement for MS

Ant Raikkonen
23rd June 2010, 14:46
Cool interview. Thanks for posting :thumb

Rishu
23rd June 2010, 16:21
Maybe not, seems to me he is more likely to be a replacement for MS


May be but Vettel's contract with Redbull ends in 2012 & Massa's contract with Ferrari ends at same time. May be Bernie knows very well Vettel's future after 2012 obviously for F1's commercial reasons. I won't be surprised if Vettle has already given committment to SFM.:lou

Greig
23rd June 2010, 17:02
May be but Vettel's contract with Redbull ends in 2012 & Massa's contract with Ferrari ends at same time. May be Bernie knows very well Vettel's future after 2012 obviously for F1's commercial reasons. I won't be surprised if Vettle has already given committment to SFM.:lou

Doubt it :-)

Rob
23rd June 2010, 18:25
great interview and read. Thanks for posting it.

Cannt see Vettel at Ferrari in couple years. We will want younger driver who maybe better or may grow to be better than SV. Anyway, im sure Alonsowas just saying he wouldnt mind him on other side of garage to sound nice, no way would he or SV like to be in same team, fact is they both pure team drivers, SV doesnt like it that webber is now getting the upper hand on him, so why would he like Alonso?

aroutis
23rd June 2010, 20:08
I think that Vettel will probably join Alonso in Ferrari in 2 years' time, makes perfect sense, and Bernie has a very good point there.

Btw.


BE: There will always be two things that will never lose their value: Formula One as a product, and Ferrari as a brand. Without wanting to step on anyone’s toes, I have to say the rest comes and goes and in the end it doesn’t matter. This is somewhat inexplicable and has a certain tragic touch to it, but in the end it is exactly like this.Got that right ;)

Stormsearcher
23rd June 2010, 20:49
FA: Right, I would not have any problems with Sebastian.

BE: This is what I am saying. Both of them would treat each other with respect, regardless of being the biggest opponents.


http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2010/6/10934.html

Err.. but would SV have a problem? I think he would. As it is, he cant take it that webber is taking his pants off on the track.
Also, Nando was prbly just playing along with Bernie... i dont think he would welcome SV either. He clearly needs to be no.1 and as long as that is the case, he will be unstoppable. Ferrari are never going to risk getting another driver equally competent and risk an internal falling apart.

REDARMYSOJA
23rd June 2010, 23:47
Q: Bernie, you have sharp business acumen. Why is Ferrari so special for you?

BE: There will always be two things that will never lose their value: Formula One as a product, and Ferrari as a brand. Without wanting to step on anyone’s toes, I have to say the rest comes and goes and in the end it doesn’t matter. This is somewhat inexplicable and has a certain tragic touch to it, but in the end it is exactly like this.

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2010/6/10934.html

Ferrari.

The only team that matters. :thumb

Agron
24th June 2010, 01:56
I feel Vettel is to RB what Hamilton is to McLaren, I doubt those teams will be happy with them leaving, and they as drivers aren't going to find a position where they can win more WDCs, considering how they are the favoured teammate in their teams, their bosses love them, etc.
Besides, if talent overcomes political pressure and hype, and considering it's Ferrari I'm sure it will, I think Kubica will drive a Ferrari F1 before Vettel, he has been driving like a true WDC for some time now.

Nice interview, full of PR praise as people love and reporters hate... which is what makes it good :-D.

Mitra
25th June 2010, 08:04
it was a nice interview though, my hats off to Bernie he has done so much for the sport and i can only hope i am as busy and productive as he is at that age (but not loosing it as much)

well i remember reading when Vettel was still with STR that he one day hoped to drive for Ferrari, so i hope that happens. Ferrari very rarely will gamble with young drivers and in 2 to 3 years one would assume that Vettel will have matured by the age of ~25 and will do well. just like Alonso has matured from 2007 etc.
(after all Vettel is my 3rd driver and i would like to support him in the 1/2 position for my team, but he will have to be in Red before i can do that whole heartedly. ONLY when one of our current drivers wish to retire)

Alonsomaniac
25th June 2010, 10:03
BE: Yes, especially because Fernando is very much a typical Ferrari pilot. He is a fighter with a lion’s heart and has a passion for competing and racing. This simply fits.

FA: That’s right. It also makes me very proud to be part of Ferrari’s history and its drivers. But I also feel a big responsibility being a Ferrari pilot. Ferrari has the biggest fan base all over the globe, and this is unbelievable. I also know that I have to deliver the performance - but I am absolutely ready to do so.

I think this is completely true. Fernando has finally found the right place to be, the team where he can be himself working with people who understand him.
That is why he feels so good and stays so very positive, even when sometimes things don't really work out the way they wish.
The perfect combination of team and driver is there.

straycat
25th June 2010, 23:51
if Filipe were to leave (hate to think that)...i would rather see Alguersauri join the Ferrari team. he is promising and would receive good mentoring from Fernando.
apologies if i mispelled his name.

Ferrari_gal
27th June 2010, 15:15
if Filipe were to leave (hate to think that)...i would rather see Alguersauri join the Ferrari team. he is promising and would receive good mentoring from Fernando.
apologies if i mispelled his name.

:-! thumbs down to this !!!!