Ferrari exit could open for Alonso on Monday (Update)
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| Marco Mattiacci claims Alonso cannot get out of contract |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Marco Mattiacci insists there is no clause in Fernando Alonso's contract which would allow the Spaniard to leave Ferrari if it does not finish third in the constructors' championship this season.
Despite it looking likely Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen will remain Ferrari's driver line-up in 2015 for a while now, rumors have persisted that a performance clause could allow the former to leave Maranello at the end of the year. Alonso himself has admitted constant speculation about his future is stressful but Mattiacci does not believe there is any reason for that to continue.
"No, I have no comments and it's not true," Mattiacci told Sky Sports News when asked about the reported clause. "I don't like to comment. What I know is we have contracts with the drivers, they are assets, and I think definitely we need to work altogether to have better cars – so that's our direction."
Ferrari heads to Monza with just two podiums to its name this year and Mattiacci is determined to give the Tifosi something to cheer about after a frustrating 2014.
"[A strong result] is super important. What has impressed me in the last races is that I have seen the passion the fans have for Ferrari. I understand the pain and frustration these fans have been going through for the last few years.
"The car is improving. It definitely has improved in the last two or three races. We are not closing the gap compared to Mercedes but there's a chance we can be just a little bit more competitive." ESPN F1
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| But where would he go? |
09/01/14 (GMM) Monday could be the magic day in Fernando Alonso's current Ferrari contract.
Boss Marco Mattiacci has been happily – and unofficially – 'confirming' for 2015 the Italian team's existing driver lineup of Alonso alongside Kimi Raikkonen.
But actual confirmation of the news, for example in the form of a press release, is in fact not expected this weekend at Monza.
"There will be no announcement at Monza with regards to the drivers," Mattiacci is quoted by Italy's Autosprint, "because there's nothing to announce."
He says that is because Alonso and Raikkonen are already under contract for 2015.
Technically, that's true. But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims that September 1 could change everything.
Correspondent Michael Schmidt cited 'internal sources' as confirming that Alonso's contract contains a clause that opens the potential exit to the Spaniard if he is not within 25 points of the championship leader on September 1.
Prior to Monza, Alonso is actually closer to 100 points behind Mercedes' Nico Rosberg.
It doesn't mean Alonso will jump at the chance to leave, but Britain's Telegraph newspaper reports that – despite their history – McLaren chief Ron Dennis has made an astonishing offer of $32 million per year to Alonso.
The report said Dennis, although having spectacularly fallen out with Alonso in 2007, "has spoken with Alonso" about the Spaniard's return to Woking to head the new Honda-powered project.
Alonso, however, might be alarmed by the latest rumors emerging from Japan.
The rumors suggest Honda, returning to F1 in 2015 after a six-year absence, is currently "far behind the performances" achieved by leading engine supplier Mercedes as it works on its all-new turbo V6 'power unit' for McLaren.