- Ferrari
Vettel rumours hurting Ferrari unity - Alonso
Fernando Alonso says recent reports of a 2015 seat-swap with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel by the Italian media are hampering his efforts to unite Ferrari as a team.
It has been a period of dramatic change for Ferrari following the announcement Luca di Montezemolo was stepping down as president last week. That announcement came as rumours circulated about a deal which would see Alonso move to Red Bull for 2015, with Vettel going the other way.
Alonso admits he is not surprised by F1's so-called 'silly season' any more but is frustrated the Italian media would publish these reports given Ferrari's current situation.
"Nothing really to add," Alonso said when asked to address the rumours. "I've been commenting about my future for 13 months, I think, from last year in August, so I have nothing new to say. Sometimes it's sad when it comes from Italy and they create for some strange purpose these rumours, which are not helping Ferrari.
"That's why we are all here and Ferrari is a much bigger brand than any individual one of us or Formula One in general. I respect a lot Ferrari and I try to create a good atmosphere by going out to dinner, playing basketball, playing poker and whatever to have a united team. It's what we need and what we expect from us. When all these things come in from Italy it is not really clear what is the purpose, and if we know the purpose one day I will tell."
Alonso thinks Montezemolo's departure represents the end of an era for Ferrari but he says he has faith in his replacement Sergio Marchionne to make the changes required at Maranello.
"It has been some interesting days with a lot of changes for the team and the year as a whole has been quite different with the team principal leaving, the head of engine leaving in the summer and now also the president stepping down after being so successful in Formula One and winning so many championships.
"He was our leader for so many years, so definitely it was a great time for Ferrari and we wish him good luck on his new projects. With the new president we wish him good luck for hopefully a very successful future. I spoke with Sergio and I have had a very good relationship with him for many years. He comes to Monza, Austin and Canada sometimes and always he shows full commitment to us. I saw him in Maranello and he repeated the same thing and he is ready for the challenge and set some changes, but like all the big companies when they make changes they hope for better."
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