Ferrari expects Fernando Alonso to see out his F1 contract to 2016

[vcs316]

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo insists he has no worries about Fernando Alonso's long-term commitment to Ferrari despite an ongoing push by McLaren to lure him away.

Alonso's future became the subject of speculation during the summer when he was given a public dressing down by di Montezemolo over comments he had made.

It also emerged that the Spaniard's management team sounded out both Red Bull and Lotus about their future driver situation, while McLaren is eyeing taking Alonso back as soon as 2015.

But di Montezemolo says relations with Alonso are much improved now, and that he has no worries about him leaving before his current contract runs out at the end of 2016.

"This [the speculation about Alonso's future] is something good for the press, sometimes good for the public," said di Montezemolo.

"I am very pleased with Fernando. He has a contract with us until the end of 2016.

"My only concern is to give him a better car.

"I have a lot of problems but the number one driver is not a problem. We will talk in two years time."

Can Ferrari hold on to Alonso?

Di Montezemolo accepts that Alonso was frustrated about Ferrari's lack of progress this year, but has reiterated that now is the time for his lead driver to work even harder with the team to turn the situation around.

"I understand, I share, I told Fernando that he arrived second this year, thanks to his capability rather than thanks to the car," he said.

"On the other hand I want a driver that even in the difficult moments he gives outside and inside stays very, very close to the team.

"This is the effort that I asked of him in the middle of the season. But I am very happy to have him on the team."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111953?

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Whether he stays or not might largely depend on the car's performance in 2014. He hasnt won since 06 and might be itching to have the WDC trophy in his cabinet.
Another mediocre car might see him off to Mclaren Honda which could be quite the lure for him given their history while a successful 2014 could see him seeing off his contract.

[Greig]

With Ron coming back to McLaren I doubt Alonso will be anywhere near them :-)

Luca again saying he is our no1 driver though :-D

[radosav]

With Ron coming back to McLaren I doubt Alonso will be anywhere near them :-)

Luca again saying he is our no1 driver though :-D

Not only No1, but Alonso is Luca's No1 and No2 driver, Kimi is No3!

[LivingHitokiri]

With Ron coming back to McLaren I doubt Alonso will be anywhere near them :-)

Luca again saying he is our no1 driver though :-D
The funny thing is, we said the same about Kimi never coming back to Ferrari due to LDM, look where he is now XD

[Hornet]

There was no any fallout between Kimi and Luca. They both came to a mutual agreement where Kimi gets his money for that remaining year, and Luca gets the driver he wants.

[Kingdom Hearts]

I hope he stays beyond 2016 and win a couple of titles, Mainly I'm a FA fan and I will follow him no matter the team, but I like Ferrari and it will be hard to cheer for McLaren.

[Rob]

The funny thing is, we said the same about Kimi never coming back to Ferrari due to LDM, look where he is now XD

But, look how Ron and Fernando fell out. It wasnt the best.

Fernando will see out his contract with us.:xmasbiggrin:

[Umbria]

Too much is made about the so called tension between Alonso and LDM, they are both of latin blood, and I can tell you that we latins tend to go off every once in a while, because that's just the way we are. Alonso is no stranger to this.

[Alonsomaniac]

Fernando will see out his contract with us.:xmasbiggrin:

Luca says so and Fernando has always said so. So eh......why not?:xmassmile:

[Nero Horse]

The funny thing is, we said the same about Kimi never coming back to Ferrari due to LDM, look where he is now XD

Yes but I think it's easier to patch things up with Kimi than Fernando, because they have completely different personalities. IMO Fernando is very passionate and acts much more on emotions/feelings and doesn't forgive that easily, but Kimi is phlegmatic, much less emotional and less complicated and therefore it's easier to patch things up with him. I'm not saying that either personality type is good or bad, both have their advantages and disadvantages, but I just think that because of Kimi's calmness it's easier to patch things up with him after a fight. Although his sour relationship with Lotus proved otherwise, so maybe I'm wrong with that assessment lol.

[Alonsomaniac]

I hope he stays beyond 2016 and win a couple of titles, Mainly I'm a FA fan and I will follow him no matter the team, but I like Ferrari and it will be hard to cheer for McLaren.


I was an FA fan too years before he came to Ferrari, but unlike you, if he leaves the team (which I don't think will ever happen, I think he will drive his last race in red) I will be very sorry, but I will stay here. In these past years I started to love Ferrari and her fancommunity and I will not leave, whatever happens.

[Kingdom Hearts]

I was an FA fan too years before he came to Ferrari, but unlike you, if he leaves the team (which I don't think will ever happen, I think he will drive his last race in red) I will be very sorry, but I will stay here. In these past years I started to love Ferrari and her fancommunity and I will not leave, whatever happens.

I never said I will leave.

[goodwood]

I think Ferrari will finally deliver a winning car, Fernando will bag the WDC and everyone will be happy...

[wisepie]

I think Ferrari will finally deliver a winning car, Fernando will bag the WDC and everyone will be happy...

I really hope you're right, another year like 2013 will surely make Fernando jump ship and who could blame him after all he's given. Shame Felipe couldn't have had a decent enough car before he was replaced, too.

[Nero Horse]

I think Ferrari will finally deliver a winning car, Fernando will bag the WDC and everyone will be happy...

Hopefully you're completely right with that prediction. That would really be a dream come true. :-)

[sreenivaschinne]

All fernando need is WDC with ferrari!!!! i remember he said that he would retire after driving for ferrari........

[ManFromMilan]

All fernando need is WDC with ferrari!!!! i remember he said that he would retire after driving for ferrari........



He needs at least four WDC with Ferrari to combat and equal the damn One Finger Salute Kid's foursome with RBR.

He deserves more in my opinion anyway.

[Alonsomaniac]

He needs at least four WDC with Ferrari to combat and equal the damn One Finger Salute Kid's foursome with RBR.

He deserves more in my opinion anyway.

To be honest don´t think Fernando even cares about that. All he wants is what he believes is the highest a driver can ever accomplish: becoming WDC in a Ferrari.
Even if it happened only once, he would still be satisfied and happy when he retires.

[Stormsearcher]

I hope he stays beyond 2016 and win a couple of titles, Mainly I'm a FA fan and I will follow him no matter the team, but I like Ferrari and it will be hard to cheer for McLaren.

My sentiments exactly! :-)

[FFFerrari]

I think it says a lot that Luca has to tell these kind of obvious things to the press. I bet there is a lot bubbling under the surface about Fernando and the looming McLaren-Honda if our esteemed leader has to assure that deal that is in place is actually in place. If the car isn't up to a championship battle (and with all the rules changes we might see another 2009), it's a real risk that the grass will seem greener on the other side of the fence. My personal prediction is that Fernando will drive until the end of his contract with Ferrari.

[sreenivaschinne]

He needs at least four WDC with Ferrari to combat and equal the damn One Finger Salute Kid's foursome with RBR.

He deserves more in my opinion anyway.

yes buddy u are right, considering the fact that fernando is a class personified driver, he deserves more WDC, its just that one WDC will lead into few more! he already missed 2007, 2010, 2012 WDC.... cant wait to see him winning another one :champ:champ:champ:champ!!!!!!

he is cool, calm, composed, and added to that aggressive driver, the starts he make is truly amazing..... we can see many drivers making mistakes in cornering :pass:pass:pass, but with fernando its minimum...... truly amazing driver, drives the car passionately, looks after the car in race, nurses the tyres like no other driver on the grid!!!!!!!

i could still remember 2012 brazil podium, where in any other driver could have said that car is slow to prost question, but he answered " I am proud of my team" .... what an attitude..........:clap:clap:clap:clap

[Stormsearcher]

If there were any rumours /fears /suspicions of Nando jumping ship to Mclaren in 2015... it will all end with this announcement. Lol.... Fair uncle Ron is back at the helm of Mclaren. :lol

[shamim179]

It's almost as if Dennis is coming back to block Alonso from joining McLaren again. If Alonso joins and starts winning championships without Dennis at the helm it's gonna make Dennis feel very uncomfortable. It's definitely personal!

[Sianellen]

It's almost as if Dennis is coming back to block Alonso from joining McLaren again. If Alonso joins and starts winning championships without Dennis at the helm it's gonna make Dennis feel very uncomfortable. It's definitely personal!

I don't think Ron Dennis returning to the helm of Mclaren is because he feels threatened at the idea of Alonso joining the team. :-/

More likely he want's to regain control now after a lot of unsavoury business forced him to lay low for a while.

[Ferrari & Honda]

How do all of you think Alonso and Kimi will get along?

I personally think that they will get along fine. Kimi and Lewis Hamilton are two different personalities. Kimi is as we know is low key, quiet and doesn't like drama and tries not to find it. He's not aggressive or flashy and won't try to take the spot light away from Alonso.

I believe Alonso's problems at McLaren were due to the fact he was a defending 2x world champion and came over to McLaren expecting to be their #1 driver and Hamilton was a rookie and Alonso was expecting Hamilton to know his role and be a #2 driver and show respect. Hamilton was this British hot shot young cocky guy who was the darling of the British press being from Britain in a British team and didn't step aside for Alonso and he also didn't listen to team orders on the radio and wouldn't let Alonso pass on the race track.

Hamilton got a free ride in the press in 2007 and Hamilton was selfish, arrogant and cocky. There were times through out the 2007 season where during qualifying and the race where the team told him over the radio to let Alonso pass but Hamilton didn't. It was Hamilton who ignored team orders.

Alonso also felt that he being Spanish and McLaren being a British team that he wasn't being treated equally and the team favored Hamilton. Some in the Spanish press and some Spanish fans also felt this way too.

So you got to find the right pairing in teammates where personalities don't clash. Kimi works well with almost anyone. Alonso is the one you got to be careful with. Alonso wouldn't be good a good fit with with Hamilton or Vettel. It would be interesting to see Alonso and Vettel be teammates though.

[ManFromMilan]

It's almost as if Dennis is coming back to block Alonso from joining McLaren again. If Alonso joins and starts winning championships without Dennis at the helm it's gonna make Dennis feel very uncomfortable. It's definitely personal!




Screw Ron Dennis, Alonso is staying, will stay in the future and will keep Mclaren from winning any WDC and WCC
:ferrarifl:champ:ferrarifl

[Kingdom Hearts]

and came over to McLaren expecting to be their #1 driver a

Or maybe Dennis made some promises, some unfulfilled promises.

[Jas]

on the subject of McLaren....they failed their crash test haha!

[Nero Horse]

on the subject of McLaren....they failed their crash test haha!

I hope they will fail in many more things in the future.

[tpe]

on the subject of McLaren....they failed their crash test haha!

So did F138 last year. No big deal.

[Rishu]

So did F138 last year. No big deal.

Yes but it means that their first choice failed, got to try second best solution now.