(from autosport) Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says the Italian team have no regrets about rejecting Fernando Alonso's overtures for a future drive with the team - despite the Spaniard's resurgent form in recent races. Alonso had set his sights on a switch to the Maranello-outfit, but in the end Ferrari opted to stick with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa until the end of 2010 at least. But although Raikkonen has had a disappointing time this season, struggling to get to grips with the characteristics of this year's tyres on the F2008, di Montezemolo is sure his team have made the right choice for the future. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport about how cheaply the team could have signed Alonso, di Montezemolo said: "That could have been the case four years ago, now I'm happy as we are. "We are trying to win the title with a different driver from last year and both of them are winning the constructors' for us. If there is one thing giving us no problems, that's the drivers. Except for a non-elating second half of the season for Raikkonen, Massa has done an extraordinary season." McLaren rival Lewis Hamilton holds a seven points advantage over Massa heading into next weekend's season finale in Brazil, but di Montezemolo thinks the title fight is far from over. "I'm sorry that in China we had our worst performance of the year in competitiveness," he said. "But we are ahead in the constructors, which by winning it we can write 'world champions' on our cars. My objective at the beginning of the year was to win eight titles in ten years. That's a feat no one has ever achieved." Talking about the drivers' crown, di Montezemolo said: "We've lost many chances, we suffered in reliability, however we're there. "And since the championship will be decided in Brazil, let's hope we can score a goal at the 90th minute. I put my faith in the team, Kimi is at the outfit's disposal and Massa is in good form and races at home."
I am thinking this talk about Alonso is just a smokescreen. The chances are gerater than 50% he will driving for Ferrari at some point.
Agreed. The fact that he keeps dismissing KR's performance show's he's the consummate PR guy and will talk out of both sides of his mouth.
Think about Williams in 1998, a top team that suddenly became ****. It sure as hell could happen for Ferrari. So who knows, maybe in the future Alonso wont want to drive for Ferrari.
There are better choices than Alonso right now never mind in 2 years. There will be new young drivers with skill that will come along and join the Kubicas and Vettels. Alonso will be past his peak and as said already...Ferrari may be a third or fourth team and as we all know Alonso takes care of himself and will only want to go to the best team at the time and if Kia is in F1 and they are a top team then Alonso will be wanting them.
With the new aero rules and slicks, it is not unreasonable to think that Toyota and/or Honda could be at the top of the charts. Trulli and Button as still excellent drivers, with a good package.....
Whats the ideal age for a F1 driver? What do you look for, if you want a guy to have a 5 - 7 year career with your team?
Also KERS thrown in. Totally new ball game if either has the right team. And both have to Factory engineering depth to do well.
Whats he going to say.... "Yeah I fired Michael Schumacher, the greatest driver in Formula one, to hire the greatest Party Animal in F1"
Franco, right now there is no better choice out there other than Alonso. Vettel and Kubica are good but the reality is they've each only won a race a piece. If they want a proven winner Alonso is not only the best choice, he's the only choice.
I don't really think there is an ideal age. people want to always dismiss driver's over 30, but many of them have proven they can still dominate. nowadays i don't look at age nearly as ability and commitment
Thanks Luis, I nearly came over your way, NY the other day, but change of plans last min, I will look you up though when/IF I go...
Really? That would have been cool. We'd get to argue in person! Seriously, if your you're ever in town, don't hesitate to look me up.
Will do mate.. I have a few dollars I need to spend, My brother went last week for a weekend break and loved it. I love Vegas, and alot of people told me that if I liked that I would like NY.. Heres one of his pic's, sorry folks for the off topic... Image Unavailable, Please Login
