Fernando Alonso rebuked by Ferrari chief Di Montezemelo

[Suzie]

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/mon...-doesnt-sit-me

A turning point to tackle with a knife between the teeth

Maranello, 29 July – “The Ferrari I saw in yesterday’s race doesn’t sit well with me.” President Montezemolo was very clear when, early in the morning, he opened the meeting with Stefano Domenicali and the Scuderia engineers, the day after a disappointing Hungarian Grand Prix, especially on the performance front. The President asked for an immediate upping of the tempo, right from Spa, to start being a contender for victory again, as had been the case up to the Canadian Grand Prix.

As usual, Montezemolo did not mince his words when it came to asking the team to step up a gear. Each one of the engineers present received a “gift” of a knife, along with an invitation – metaphorical up to a point – to put it between their teeth when thinking how to tackle the second half of the season.

This is definitely not the time to start arguing over who was responsible for this or that decision, partly because everything is still possible with nine Grands Prix to go. The points are available and so is the potential to score enough of them to win. Montezemolo is doing his utmost to ensure that the team has all the support and resources it needs, starting with the announcement that James Allison, formerly with Lotus, will join the Maranello team, starting work already on 1st September. However, there is a need to close ranks, without giving in to rash outbursts that, while understandable in the immediate aftermath of a bad result, are no use to anyone.

That was a reference to the latest comments from Fernando Alonso, which did not go down well with Montezemolo, nor with anyone in the team. So, when Montezemolo called the Spaniard this morning to wish him a happy birthday, he also tweaked his ear, reminding him that, “all the great champions who have driven for Ferrari have always been asked to put the interests of the team above their own. This is the moment to stay calm, avoid polemics and show humility and determination in making one’s own contribution, standing alongside the team and its people both at the track and outside it.”

Montezemolo also attended the technical analysis, which went into every detail, leaving no stone unturned, including the subject of the introduction of the new tyres over the course of the last two races, a variable that definitely did not suit the Ferrari. Pirelli’s choice contributed to artificially altering the hierarchy in the field, something that has not pleased the President or the men of the Scuderia. This topic will be the subject of further debate in the near future.

Giving your staff knives isn't creepy at all, Luca.

[M.K]

Giving your staff knives isn't creepy at all, Luca.

Nice moves from Luca, it felt like reading script from Godfather. Friendly gesture to engineers and reminding Fernando that nobody leaves the family so easily

[Ste]

I don't personally understand the comments in the article Suzie posted. Or rather, I don't understand why they'd publish what presumably is a friendly reminder to Alonso of what comes first at Ferrari.

Luca has always gotten on very well with Alonso (at least since he joined Ferrari) so the comments do strike me as being quite odd. Apparently Alonso was asked what he wanted for his birthday and he answered "rivals' cars". I'm not sure if this statement was a joke (from the person who tweeted it) or it did happen, but it sounds real. Plus, it's something that would very easily be mis-interpreted as "I want to move teams" rather than "I want a car as quick as theirs".

I don't for one moment believe Alonso would want to go to another team and most definitely not one where he can't have a number one status. All the leading drivers want that, whether they say so or not. Ferrari do need to step up their game though, because it's becoming somewhat tiring to constantly finish fourth or fifth and miss out on titles by a couple of points.

I do find it slightly reminiscent of Schumacher's first four years at Ferrari. He came into our team when they were poor, missed out on a few titles by virtually nothing, brought in people he wanted there and eventually won. Alonso came in after a shocking 2009, missed out on a number of titles by not very much, has helped to get new staff in the team and hopefully will win soon - but I can't believe it'll be this year unfortunately.

[Sianellen]

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/mon...-doesnt-sit-me



Giving your staff knives isn't creepy at all, Luca.

Gives the media something to chew for the next 5 weeks. I wonder if they do it on purpose to play with them.

[khizerk]

"That was a reference to the latest comments from Fernando Alonso, which did not go down well with Montezemolo, nor with anyone in the team"

What did Alonso say? His official post race comments were not negative.

[Mrs Alonso]

It refers to the comments Ste mentioned where Nando was asked what he'd like for his birthday and he said his rivals cars.

[Suzie]

Nice moves from Luca, it felt like reading script from Godfather. Friendly gesture to engineers and reminding Fernando that nobody leaves the family so easily

It's beyond sinister.

[Rob]

It refers to the comments Ste mentioned where Nando was asked what he'd like for his birthday and he said his rivals cars.

Yet again its just joke comment been blown out of proportion.

[Hornet]

For a moment I thought that article is just another one trying to stir things up regarding Ferrari. Then I saw the link and realized that it's an official article from Ferrari's site.

Gives the media something to chew for the next 5 weeks. I wonder if they do it on purpose to play with them.

I hope you're right. Otherwise, I don't see the need to reveal something like that to the public.

[Suzie]

I don't think there's any need for that article, with the RBR rumours surely it was an opportunity to put them to bed and not mention anything Fernando may or may not have said.
It's a bit tacky airing dirty laundry on the official website, but then Ferrari PR can be a disaster sometimes. If Luca wants to keep Fernando in line, so to speak, that is absolutely something than can and should be done in private IMO.

[Sianellen]

If Fernando gets a slap on the wrist for an odd comment (that people aren't really sure what is being referred to), can you imagine the size of slap Paul Di Resta must get with the amount of times he slags off Force India.

[Ste]

I don't think there's any need for that article, with the RBR rumours surely it was an opportunity to put them to bed and not mention anything Fernando may or may not have said.
It's a bit tacky airing dirty laundry on the official website, but then Ferrari PR can be a disaster sometimes. If Luca wants to keep Fernando in line, so to speak, that is absolutely something than can and should be done in private IMO.

Agreed.

[Suzie]

If Fernando gets a slap on the wrist for an odd comment (that people aren't really sure what is being referred to), can you imagine the size of slap Paul Di Resta must get with the amount of times he slags off Force India.

Now if THAT could be done in public, it'd be awesome.

[Sianellen]

Now if THAT could be done in public, it'd be awesome.

Definitely!

[Mrs Alonso]

The whole situation is unecessary in my opionion but i get that's it done to play the media and it obviously works as they're all going hysterical.

[71dino]

"That was a reference to the latest comments from Fernando Alonso, which did not go down well with Montezemolo, nor with anyone in the team"

What did Alonso say? His official post race comments were not negative.

I don't see anything wrong with what Fernando said... in fact he said that he will fight to the very end and that the team has the potential to achieve a championship. what more does anyone want from him, he is wringing more out of an inferior car than it has potential. He hasn't said one word that sounds like a complain towards the team... So often his remarks are taken out of context or misinterpreted by those who don't listen. If Ferrari has a problem right now it isn't with Filipe or Fernando it is deeper and those things need to be handled behind closed doors... as always the media tries to create something that does not exist. This is F1 not some melodramatic gossip column... we will be back after the break, wrenches are turning... this is Scuderia, a winning team.

[bonzo]

LdM just made a last warning. Someone in the team already carries his resignation letter in his pocket.

[shamim179]

Was that article with that reference to Alonso really necessary especially on the official Ferrari website? It might seem unnecessary but is it really? I think Luca is worried that Alonso is considering leaving the team. He is saying this to persuade Alonso to stay or perhaps Alonso has already made up his mind and this is just a subtle dig at Alonso. Remember Luca said earlier this year that he hopes Alonso will honor his contract. Why say that it in the first place? Those rumours to Red Bull might not be so crazy at all.

The Alonso-Ferrari partnership was meant to be a huge success. But it has just been disappointment after disappointment year after year. His first year at Ferrari was his best in terms of the performance of the car and since then it's been a gradual decline. Maybe it's Santander who is getting frustrated here? I must say this again but Stefano's remarks about "keep calm, we must push, etc" annoys certain fans - just think how it must annoy some of the sponsors?

[ManFromMilan]

it's something that would very easily be mis-interpreted as "I want to move teams" rather than "I want a car as quick as theirs".

I don't for one moment believe Alonso would want to go to another team

Have not seen it written or talked about anywhere else.

Alonso have always been a joker and someone see who likes to have fun. Not the same driver you would ever see on the SKY or BBC feeds where he seems presented as always too cold and unapproachable, don't know if that is the media's unofficial intent or what. I cannot see him disrespecting the team, if that was his words(and jokingly said), then obviously he would have meant as i would like to have a car as fast as my rivals', as long as it is still RED.

[ManFromMilan]

Why say that it in the first place? Those rumours to Red Bull might not be so crazy at all.

Still sounds bat crazy to me I'm afraid

[shamim179]

Still sounds bat crazy to me I'm afraid

That's what I thought initially but after having listened to the interviews I'm not so sure. Have you listened to the interviews?

[Ste]

Alonso's manager, Luis Garcia Abad just tweeted saying:

As we said yesterday...as if someone hears those words

And linked this:

http://www.fernandoalonso.com/hungar...do-gp-hungria/

Can someone translate please?

[Rob]

That's what I thought initially but after having listened to the interviews I'm not so sure. Have you listened to the interviews?

Yes, there is nothing in it at all. First of all, Fernando has said he wants finish at us, plus it took Schuey 5 years to win WDC with us. Secondly, RBR and Vettel would not want Fernando in the team while Vettel is there, be worse than Webber, alot worse.

Fernando is more than happy at Ferrari, he is "#1" gets along with whole team.

Its all crazy rumours and things getting out of hand.

[Ste]

Alonso's manager, Luis Garcia Abad just tweeted saying:



And linked this:

http://www.fernandoalonso.com/hungar...do-gp-hungria/

Can someone translate please?

Ok this is the interview:

Alonso: "I keep optimistic because I have 27 years running and I've seen everything"

No rumors says Red Bull, but has lost the second World

Fernando Alonso finished fifth the Hungarian GP, ​​a result very little use in its fight for the 2013 F1 World as Sebastian Vettel has excelled in five points thanks to his third place, and Kimi Räikkönen has snatched silver provisional World Cup after finishing second. Still, the two-time stays true to Ferrari and says the rumors even place him at Red Bull next year.

A fifth base can not win the World Cup. It's something that Fernando Alonso is as clear as the fans, but does not lose hope that his mount improve substantially in the next races and ultimately keeps some faith in 'cosmic balance' will hurt rivals in any of Grand Prix remaining until the end of the season.

Alonso not lose confidence in Ferrari: " I hope, as we come worst situations . Though it may seem a bad month for us because it is true that at Silverstone, Nürburgring and we have not been quick enough and made ​​careers that are not our level. But after three bad races, quote, we lost five points against Sebastian in the computation of the three. know that anything can happen, which took four years fighting for the world championship until the last race with situations similar, with half-second deficit and, well, yesterday saw the problem with the KERS Webber, ever can happen to Sebastian. Today saw Button is touched, nothing happened but sometime can pass something, we know that the championship is long and if we have to go looking for and picking up what others leave us, what we have done relatively well all these years to finish runners-up in the world and fight to the end. This is the first hope , "said Alonso.

" The second is to improve the car. started with ups and downs, with a regular car, beat it, the peak was surely the GP of Spain, when Felipe and I were both on the podium, and then started down. expect to reach a new rise to afford. Yesterday being in fifth place was a miracle, it seemed silly what he said, but we knew that our site was seventh and eighth. now career, our position remained seventh and eighth, behind two Mercedes, two Lotus and two Red Bull, and made ​​five and eight.Again the fifth position is out of the norm and has been another miracle and we must seize it, "insisted the Spanish champion.

On rumors that put it at Red Bull next year, just not commenting : " Nothing to say . " When another journalist insisted on the same issue, Alonso was adamant: " It's the same question he did put another way, right? Therefore, I will not fall, I will not answer . " And a third was on the same path, but asked for his commitment to the team and happiness within Ferrari: " Very happy. Obviously we need to improve the car and want to have a chance of winning the championship. Agosto, with four weeks without Formula 1 is a very dangerous period for you guys, so I hope you have a calm summer , "warned Fernando.

Yet another Italian partner has insisted the possibility that Alonso seek their future in another computer if Ferrari does not give a winning car: " No, I think we have to be patient, especially in these difficult times. This year I see no difference in recent years.'re not behind or ahead of what we were in the past. I fight to the end for this championship.'s in our hands, just only make improvements, make new pieces now in the summer for the race Spa of Monza and Singapore. remain nine races and 225 points, more than enough time as available points.'s team, the potential and the budget are, so I see no reason not to be competitive . "

After a race like today, it is difficult to remain optimistic for the fans, but not for the pilot: " I keep optimistic because I have 27 years running and have seen it all and in all categories. Tomorrow I meet are almost 32 and 30 running. know that anything can happen, "he asserted the Spaniard."Today, going much slower than the others, in touch with Button, Vettel lost the nose or click the wheel or suspension, stays out of the race and we climbed to 18 points from him, and we are clapping with ears . So you have to keep a lot of calm. There improve the car, yes, you have to go faster than him, yes, you have to finish ahead of him, yes, and this will not be easy. Surely from home is what most are going to see and what more can you throw in the towel. Anyway, not going to help us, we will try to do everything to the end and we have enough experience, lived in our flesh Sebastian last year, 40 point lead that vanished into two outputs, Japan and Belgium, more than 30 points ahead of the old system, or 75 points of the current system with Schumacher in 2006, which also vanished in six or seven races ... If we can improve car and win a few races, the championship may be in our hands perfectly and that we will be ", he said.

" It seems now a chimera that we'll win three or four runs, but the team has the potential and desire to at least try ", has topped Alonso, who has lost his second place in the championship by one point over Kimi Raikkonen .

" I think we have to see it in detail. degradation is true that historically have been good but Friday saw on the long runs are very competitive not here either. had some doubts, so we changed things in the car but did not improve the situation too much. could be an explanation, but we need to study a little more. In races like Bahrain or here, the rear tires degrade, but it's one thing that graining temperature or other factors. seem to have problems, because in careers as Bahrain always have very bad degradation, so let's say it's a surprise half. need to improve the situation. gums With 2013 we had very good degradation, similar to the Lotus or more next to the other cars Lotus. With 2012 seems we are closer to the high degradation cars, so it's something we need to improve and convert it back to our strong point . "

" Yes Obviously there is a very deep analysis of what we miss in the car now. Silverstone I think we took two or three steps back in the car's performance. were not happy. At Nürburgring, we recover all old car parts and behavior was much more normal and now, in Young Driver test confirmation and had returned to some parts we had used before, do some races. now understand the car, understand the problems. know what got in the car that does not work so it is somehow normal to have now this deficit because we pilot car now bears very old pieces, say. need to improve, after the summer we have to take the step forward that we thought we would at Silverstone, with these two tenths that arrived. now need these two tenths arrive immediately at Spa and Monza have to achieve the same performance as cars with those who fight for the World Cup . "

" I hope so. Surely I'm not designing pen in Maranello parts every day. We have people for that. We we pilot the most, as I say. Our work on track with the strategy I think, stops, mechanics, pilots and engineers is acceptable, maybe not the best nor the worst, but acceptable. What we hope is to reach parts not leave us three tenths ahead of everyone, but equal to all. This has happened in the past, Barcelona had a very competitive car and suddenly we were both on the podium. arriving a competitive car in the coming races we're both on the podium and disadvantage in the World Cup back easily . "

When asked why the relationship with the team, especially human life, Alonso is clear: " Ten. believe that the team is always super.'s not a man who does not fight for victory, do not leave it all. was get under the car if necessary to gain a foothold. This is from the first to the last moment. then sometimes things do not work, as in Silverstone, and you realize that you are not competitive. That is another story. It has to do with the simulations, the tunnels, all those things that are a bit unknown to us here on the track, but that's not dedication, for work, for love of what we do. So we have to be united, think about improving and, as I say, in these nine remaining races have that magical touch that comes at a car part that allows you to be in the battle with all "concluded Alonso.

[Rob]

@Ste

nice great read, see its just media running away with a story that isnt there.

[Mrs Alonso]

Thank you for the translated article

[Tony]

Ferrari does not like being insulted publicly by its drivers.... Alain Prost comes to mind....

[Greig]

Very silly from Ferrari to post that on their own website, baffling what they expected to achieve.

[Dino]

Very silly from Ferrari to post that on their own website, baffling what they expected to achieve.

Did not expect that from Luca.......at a time when Horner is trying to distabilise the Scuderia.
He should have calmed down and talked to Alonso behind closed doors.

[Suzie]

Giving everyone a knife is weirder. Someone's been slipping hallucinogens in Luca's coffee.