ShareThisFERRARI HAS dampened speculation Fernando Alonso will be announced as its new driver ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September.
Spanish newspaper Diario AS claims Ferrari has agreed to a deal to bring the two-time World Champion to Ferrari next season and replace Kimi Raikkonen, who is currently languishing in 10th place in the driver's standings.
Alonso was expected to arrive at Maranello in 2011, but Ferrari's struggles, combined with Raikkonen's lack of form was reported to have prompted the manufacturer to accelerate its driver succession plans.
Diario AS also claimed Alonso and new team sponsor Santander would be introduced to the Ferrari faithful at the Scuderia's 'World Finals' event at Valencia in November, where the Renault ddriver would appear as a special guest.
However, Ferrari has now issued a statement emphatically denying the reports, dismissing any talk of Alonso racing for the team next year as rumour-mongering.
Ferrari spokesperson Luca Colajanni told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport: "We are not going to waste our time commenting on speculation. Everyone should remember that (Felipe) Massa and Raikkonen have contracts which include 2010."
Meanwhile, Spanish Motor Racing Federation President Carlos Garcia has dismissed suggestions FIA President Max Mosley has annointed former Ferrari Team Principal Jean Todt as his successor.
Ron Dennis has also been rumoured as a potential replacement for Mosley, but the pair's widely reported dislike for each other will likely curtail the former McLaren F1 boss' bid to head motorsport's governing body.
Garcia told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: "Unless Max has gone even more mad, I don't think he'll back Jean Todt because we all know where he comes from and who he's linked to."
Garcia also criticised Ferrari and FOTA President Luca di Montezemolo for issuing the inflammatory claim that Mosley behaved like a "dictator" throughout his time at the helm of the FIA.
The World Motor Sport Council member said FOTA should beware of further offending Mosley and inciting the 69-year old to stand for re-election.
"What Luca di Montezemolo has done shows a total lack of respect to the FIA and the World Council. I don't support Max Mosley to the death, but what I am totally in favour of, to the death, is respect for our institutions," he said.
"It wouldn't surprise me if Max Mosley runs for re-election. The worst thing you can do is leave an animal badly wounded. What Luca has managed to do is re-activate Max."
Schumacher Backs Todt In FIA Election
FIA Election: Vatanen Criticises Mosley For Endorsing Todt
Todt Confirms FIA Presidential Candidacy
F1: Mosley Endorses Jean Todt For FIA Presidency
Comments
9 months ago 0 points
The post of President needs someone of huge intellect and strength of mind.
It is essential that he remains. The attempt by Ferrari to depose Max through FOTA, is a smoke screen to continue the dominance of the manufacturer teams in the face of sensible regulations to reduce the huge cost and introduce relevant technology for the 21st century. Without this F1 cannot survive in the economic crisis and environmental disaster soon to occur.
Teams like Ferrari cannot win without spending huge amounts of money from company bail outs and they are determined to continue the use of 19th century ic engines and dog boxes.
The naive fans may well support these criminal actions of Fota but the world public sure as hell will not.