Alonso tells Ferrari he wants to leave (4th Update)
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| Alonso likely to be wearing different colors in 2015 |
(GMM) Where before there was merely smoke, now there are the first obvious signs of fire.
Fernando Alonso's future with Ferrari is almost certainly in serious doubt.
Some Spanish media sources continue to insist that the frustrated Spaniard is not interested in leaving the crisis-struck Italian team for McLaren-Honda, or even reigning world champions Red Bull.
But dominant Mercedes could be another matter.
Still, the latest rumors suggest McLaren could now be heading towards a highly-experienced lineup of Alonso alongside Jenson Button to spearhead the new Honda era.
That would leave rookie Kevin Magnussen in the cold.
All of a sudden, the young Dane is admitting his future might not be secure.
"It would make no sense to go from McLaren to a smaller team," Magnussen is quoted by Russia's f1news.ru.
"If I do not manage to be successful with McLaren and meet their expectations, then I'm not good enough to be world champion anyway."
At the very same time, strong signs that not all is well between Alonso and Ferrari's new boss Marco Mattiacci are becoming ever more concrete.
Authoritative reports are quoting Mattiacci as having given unusual answers to very direct questions about Alonso's position at Ferrari after the Singapore grand prix.
"Fernando is still with us in 2015? At the moment, yes," he said.
"He has a contract until 2016, but there is an ongoing discussion also about how we will define the relationship."
Italy's respected and specialist La Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday claimed Alonso has now "expressed his intention to leave Ferrari" after conditions placed on his continuing position were not accepted or met.
The report quoted Mattiacci as saying: "We must have the courage to change and not rest on the laurels of the past.
"I have been asked to lead this and not everyone can like it," he added.
The Spanish sports newspaper Marca, however, quoted Mattiacci as insisting in Singapore that "Nothing has changed in my relationship with Fernando this weekend".
But, clearly referring to the management upheavals at Maranello this year, he also said: "I do not know any company that makes such profound changes where everyone can be happy about it.
"Some like it and some do not. But sometimes you have to have the courage to change."
More signs of the clash between Mattiacci and Alonso could be detected in their assessment of Ferrari's performance in Singapore.
Mattiacci claimed the team has made clear progress since Monza.
"We had the pace of Red Bull — it is clear that the car has improved," said the Italian.
But Alonso said: "My teammate was 45 seconds behind me."
09/22/14 Scuderia Ferrari driver FERNANDO ALONSO "has reportedly told the Italian team that he intends to leave the squad at the end of the season," according to KRONE. Italy's "Gazzetta dello Sport" reported that Alonso "has informed the team of his intentions after he set conditions that were unacceptable" for the Maranello-based F1 team.
Asked if Alonso would remain with the team, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal MARCO MATTIACCI said, "At the moment, yes (which means he is leaving).
Alonso has a contract with us until 2016. There are ongoing discussions. They also include how we will define our relationships." Mattiacci's statement made it clear that the team's relationship with Alonso "has become turbulent." Alonso has been with Ferrari since '10. KRONE
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| Vettel leaving Red Bull as long as Adrian Newey is there? Too funny. |
09/18/14 (GMM) Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel on Thursday batted away the most recent 'silly season' speculation.
Earlier this week, Italy's Sky had triggered rumors the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers could be about to complete a sensational cockpit swap for 2015.
Spaniard Alonso said the fact the speculation originated in Italy, where fabled Italy is based, is "sad".
"Sometimes it's sad when it comes from Italy and they create for some strange purpose these rumors, which are not helping Ferrari," he said in Singapore.
Earlier, Vettel had immediately denied the speculation, and he repeated the news on Thursday.
"As I've often tried to explain, I drive for Red Bull," said the reigning world champion.
"I have a contract, it has not changed," Vettel was quoted by the German news agency SID.
Not only that, the German says he has a "very special" bond with his energy drink-making employer as the partnership dates back "since I was twelve".
"Since I have worn the Red Bull helmet," Vettel added.
"I have a very, very strong connection to Red Bull and nothing has changed — and it does not look as though anything will change."
09/16/14 (GMM) Before the long-haul flight to Singapore, world champion Sebastian Vettel and his team have denied the latest sensational 'silly season' rumor.
Germany's Sport Bild reports on Tuesday that dissatisfied Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso could take Vettel's place at Red Bull for 2015, in a straight 'swap' deal with the fabled Maranello team.
Vettel immediately denied it.
"There is nothing new," he said. "I have a contract with Red Bull and I'm happy where I am."
Earlier reports, however, had suggested the deal was done, and would be announced on Tuesday.
Dr Helmut Marko said on Tuesday: "Alonso will definitely not be at Red Bull."
And in another sure sign that Red Bull's commitment to Vettel is far from wavering, even despite his disappointing 2014 campaign, Marko insisted the team will not be bowing to Daniel Ricciardo's request for team orders.
"We have no team orders and there will be done," he said clearly.
Vettel will have yet another new chassis at his disposal this weekend in Singapore, and Marko added: "If Sebastian can win, then he is allowed to — whether Daniel is behind him or not.
"That is our philosophy."
Justifying the fourth new chassis of the season for Vettel amid the quadruple world champion's mysterious handling problems, Marko explained: "Sebastian is too important to the team for him to not be reaching his full potential."
And team boss Christian Horner added: "I will not say it too loudly, but I have a feeling Sebastian will win in Singapore."
09/16/14 According to reports that emerged in Italy on Monday night, Fernando Alonso could be set to go back on his word by packing his bags for Red Bull, with Sebastian Vettel replacing the Spaniard at Ferrari. The suggestion is that the terms of this swap could be finalized over the coming weeks in Asia, where the next couple of races are to be held.
The logic behind the story is that Alonso, who has repeatedly denied rumors about leaving Ferrari, is cutting an increasingly isolated figure at the 'Scuderia' owing to the departure of former team principal Stefano Domenicali and president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, coupled with the death of mentor Emilio Botin. With an offer from McLaren-Honda seemingly off the cards, Red Bull look like the only top-class option for the three-time world champion, who is eager to get his hands on a faster ride after seeing his success with the Italian team dry up.
On the other hand, Vettel is apparently fed up of being told that his triumphs in recent years were solely down to his car and struggling under the pressure of the challenge from newcomer Daniel Ricciardo, who has outshone his more heralded teammate this season.
However, the German moved quickly to rubbish the speculation, telling Sport Bild, "There have been no new developments. I am under contract at Red Bull and am happy where I am". Marca.com