Montezemolo dismisses Alonso and Raikkonen rumours

[vcs316]

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has dismissed speculation surrounding the futures of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen at the team.

Ferrari's disappointing start to the season has left both Alonso and Raikkonen struggling for results and sparked speculation they may leave the team. Alonso has a contract until the end of 2016, but is rumoured to be a target of McLaren's for next year. Raikkonen has a contract until the end of 2015, but his future has also been questioned after failing to match the pace of Alonso so far this year.

However, Montezemolo said such rumours are unfounded and both drivers are central to Ferrari's plans to turn its fortunes around.

"We are lucky to have two great champions, who are working with the whole team to get back to being competitive again," he told Ferrari's website. "Of course, as is the case every summer, there is unfounded gossip about alleged problems with senseless rumours bandied about, such as the ones relating to Alonso's contract or those of drivers' salaries.

"We know that the summer heat always produces silly stories. Our drivers must now relax in order to return in top form. The season is still long and we need Fernando and Kimi to be in great shape. And on the subject of Kimi, I wish him all the best as he is soon to become a dad."

Since bringing in Marco Mattiacci to replace Stefano Domenicali as team principal, Montezemolo said changes had been put in place that would start to yield results in the near future.

"We are making in-depth changes on both the organizational side, in our approach and culture. We have taken important decisions and have made significant progress, even if, at the moment, the results of all this work are not always visible. The aim is to get back to being as competitive as we were before in the shortest possible time, while at the same time putting everything in place so that we can embark on another winning cycle.

"As for our sport in general, we are pleased to see that all the major players share the views we first put forward regarding the need to revamp Formula One. We have proposals aimed specifically at improving the show, starting with more straightforward regulations, which put the spectators first, especially the younger generation."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

[vcs316]

Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci says the car needs to be improved “at 360 degrees” to be competitive.

Having been comfortably off the pace of the likes of Mercedes and Williams in recent races, Ferrari was able to challenge for victory in Hungary with Fernando Alonso eventually finishing second to Daniel Ricciardo. One area the team is weak compared to Mercedes is with its power unit but Mattiacci doesn't want Ferrari focusing in just one area when looking at ways of closing the gap in the future.

“We need to improve the car at 360 degrees,” Mattiacci said. “It's not just the power unit, it's not just aerodynamics, it's not just the chassis; it's the team, the car… so it's a huge amount of work that has to be done.

“Am I confident? I'm confident about the team spirit that we're building and the quality of the people that we have – the strength and the plan that we have. That's why I'm confident.”

And Mattiacci said the gap that Ferrari currently has to the leaders means the team can't afford to stop thinking about how it can improve during the mid-season break.

“We are not stopping thinking about the project has to come up, so there is no shutdown. We are behind by 1.2s from the leaders. 1.2s means months, years of work. So we cannot allow ourselves to stop and shut down mentally. That's why I think we need to be careful about the second place [in Hungary] because I think we need to still be very cautious and aware that there is still a huge amount of work to be done.

“It is good and motivating, but now the team needs to understand the meaning of the second place. It doesn't put us away from our trajectory of thinking because we are not here to be happy with second place as Ferrari.”

[Brembo]

I truly believe that efforts at revamping F1 by improving the show esp. for the younger generation is happening this year. Being able to watch teamates going at it , not having to hold back make the races great. Not predictable as to which team driver will be ahead of the other, Lewis and Nico are a great example of fighting to win. Lewis finishing on the podium twice back to back from 20 th or lower on the grid! Watching what Alonso can do with his car, so far scoring points in every race, esp. last race is the best. Ricciardo beating Vettel in 9 out of 11 races is great for the sport. Rubens winning at Indy!

[Tobes]

Sky Sports News reporting both Fernando and Kimi are confirmed for next season...

[Rob]

Sky Sports News reporting both Fernando and Kimi are confirmed for next season...

Ferrari confirm Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso will stay on for 2015 season
Scuderia's driver line-up to be unchanged next season;
By Pete Gill. Last Updated: 23/08/14 8:31pm

Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci has confirmed to Sky Sports F1 that Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso will be retained for 2015.

The futures of both Alonso and Raikkonen have been cast in doubt this year with the Finn struggling to get to grips with the ill-handling F14 T on his return to Scuderia and the Spaniard linked with a return to McLaren in the wake of another disappointing year for the Italian outfit.

However, Mattiacci has insisted to Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle that both drivers will remain with the team for next year.

The interview will be played in full as part of Sky F1’s coverage of the Belgian GP from 11.30am on Sunday.

2007 World Champion Raikkonen remains Ferrari's last title winner while Alonso is regarded by many in the paddock as the best driver on the grid and their union, at the expense of the ousted Felipe Massa, was expected to signal the Scuderia's revival this term.

Instead, the team have struggled throughout 2014 and are a distant third in the Constructors' Championship after failing to win a race. In a terse admission this weekend, Technical Director James Allison admitted that the Scuderia had been guilty of 'short-termism' in their quest to catch Red Bull and, more recently, Mercedes.

"I don't think Ferrari has ever lacked for resource or quality of people or quality of drivers. We have many of the key parts for being a successful team," Allison said.

"What all of us are trying to do, with Marco spearheading that, is to identify the areas where we are not yet championship-leading material to put those right. Most of us those weaknesses are organisation and a tendency to work a little short-term in the past."

But while Alonso and Raikkonen are to be retained, change is afoot at the team as the Scuderia's hierachy plot their return to the front of the grid. Long-time boss Stefano Domenicali was replaced in April by Mattiacci following the Scuderia’s dismal start to F1’s new turbo era, while the exit of Luca Marmorini was confirmed during the summer break.

On the track, the team's struggles to keep pace with Red Bull and Mercedes continued in Saturday's qualifying session for the Belgian GP with Alonso excelling just to claim fourth and Raikkonen a modest eighth.

Sunday's race starts at 1pm, with Sky F1's coverage underway at 11.30am.

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/report/...he-2015-season

[scuderia_nano]

Ted Kravitz tweets

EJ said Alonso met Redbull bosses last night.

[mirafiori]

Ted Kravitz tweets

EJ said Alonso met Redbull bosses last night.

Yeah I just heard that as well. After listening to Marco interview on Sky I don't think Alonso should go anywhere. Marco was very positive, Ferrari back to the top in three years.

[SilverSpeed]

Yeah been watching to BBC HD and they said it to Alonso has been there for quite some time...

[fratelliferrari]

Oh noo....please not! I always had the feeling Fernando would stay with us until the end of his carreer Hopefully Ted's tweet isn't serious!

[shamim179]

Don't believe Mattiacci. He has dismissed rumors before that were actually true. He's not going to come out and say Alonso is considering other options and that the pressure is on Kimi to improve otherwise he'll be dropped is he?

[Rob]

Ted Kravitz tweets

EJ said Alonso met Redbull bosses last night.

[Rob]

Yeah been watching to BBC HD and they said it to Alonso has been there for quite some time...

dont forget, Carlos Sainz JR is managed by Fernandos manager, and i hear he maybe in Caterham for Monza. Maybe all trying to set up a good deal.

[killer]

Don't believe Mattiacci. He has dismissed rumors before that were actually true. He's not going to come out and say Alonso is considering other options and that the pressure is on Kimi to improve otherwise he'll be dropped is he?

Which rumors?

[Alonsomaniac]

So Fernando walks to RB - in all openness - and has a chat with some people he knows overthere. So what? Is there a law against that?
Of course the press wants to make something out of it, but they too have no idea what he was doing there. Maybe he was there for someone's birthday, who knows?
Fernando is a Ferrari-driver and will stay that, don't worry.

[steelstallions]

We need to build a race winning car to keep drivers like Alonso, unfortunately, since 2008 we have been lacking every season

[FFFerrari]

dont forget, Carlos Sainz JR is managed by Fernandos manager, and i hear he maybe in Caterham for Monza. Maybe all trying to set up a good deal.

The Toro Rosso announcements of Verstappen and Kvyat really put a hamped into the campaign of Sainz Jr so his management is hurrying to see if there are spots still vacant in the smaller teams. How this is linked to Fernando visiting Red Bull bosses eludes me. I know that Fernando and Sainz Jr both have the same manager, but why would Fernando follow his manager to a meeting regarding another driver?

[Kristof_F40]

The Toro Rosso announcements of Verstappen and Kvyat really put a hamped into the campaign of Sainz Jr so his management is hurrying to see if there are spots still vacant in the smaller teams. How this is linked to Fernando visiting Red Bull bosses eludes me. I know that Fernando and Sainz Jr both have the same manager, but why would Fernando follow his manager to a meeting regarding another driver?

Fernando also has a lot of contact with Sainz, they often train together etc. Fernando isn't going to leave.. Only option would be McLaren with Honda engine, but that's also a guess, we don't know whether it's going to be good. Fernando wants 1 title and he wants is with Ferrari, as long as he sees/feels that Ferrari is working hard to get things done, he'll stay. Ferrari owes him, so they are not goin to ditch him. He can stay as long as he wants. If Ferrari is changing and improving his time will come. If he leaves now, he needs a guarantee that he can win the title. Who nows what's going to happen next year. Merc is dominant car, and we will be at the front next year. But how stupid is Merc team?? How many points did they throw away. Fernando isn't going to Merc. Than there is RBR, who will be strong next year as well. But it seems that a lot of key position in the team are changing, so they will carry some momentum with them, but eventually they also need to restructure I think, so not in ideal bet I think.

Fernando is staying with Ferrari. Ofcourse Ferrari knows they need him, if het car isn't there, Fernando is. So they want him and will do whatever is needed to keep him. If he shows up at other team, there is a chance of him leaving or better a threat so, Ferrari will do more to keep him.. I think he's just playing some games, perhaps mainly with the media..

[bondilad]

. I think he's just playing some games, perhaps mainly with the media..

Totally agree. Even if he was spotted at redbull.... why would he want to wait until a grand prix weekend for contract negotiations in front of the entire media.

[Lesky]

Wasnt Fernando meeting with his former Renault pal Paul Monaghan at the Red Bull paddock?

[ManFromMilan]

Saw this reply on the Alonso to Mclaren rumors posted on another website.

" **Fernando Alonso arrives home at his Vila in Spain**

**Shuts the door and turns on the Answering Machine**

"Fernando......It's ron.....remember? Uncle Ron..........I'm.......I'm sorry for everything Fernando.........I made the biggest mistake of my life...If I had just listened to you I would have had multiple championships........but......you know....Lewis....he just said the right things at the right times.....Anyways.......Listen, how about you come back to McLaren Fernando....I'll pay you 50 million a year and Honda are really happy to have you on board A-----------"

**MESSAGE DELETED!.....please press 1 to listen to voice messages** "



Classic....because it is true!