Fernando Alonso and Ferrari rumours

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Speculation that Fernando Alonso could be a Ferrari driver in the future refuses to go away.

Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo said in April he was happy with the line-up of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. But now Alonso is being linked with a move to Ferrari where he would be reunited with sponsor Banco Santander.

Alonso has made it clear in the past he wants to drive for Ferrari.

Spanish bank Santander joined McLaren last year to coincide with Alonso’s arrival at the team in what was supposed to be a five-year deal. The bank, which runs the Abbey brand in Britain, remained with McLaren after Alonso left the team.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they wanted to be associated with the Spanish driver. One might ask why it needs to as it has the Abbey brand in Britain which profits from the association of Lewis Hamilton.

But the Abbey brand is expected to be replaced by Santander in Britain in the future. The company has sponsored the British Grand Prix for the last two years using the Santander brand, despite the obvious potential to brand one of Silverstone’s corners ‘Abbey’.

Santander’s white-text-on-red would also be a neat fit with Ferrari. As an added bonus for the Italian team it would get to pinch a major sponsor from McLaren two years after it poached Vodafone from Ferrari.

Raikkonen and Massa both have Ferrari contracts for 2009 and Massa’s goes on until 2010. Raikkonen has hinted at an early retirement in the past and perhaps he will be stepping down from the team at the end of next year, to be replaced by Alonso?

With an eye on the future, Santander also sponsors iSport in GP2, who run Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok.

Thanks to Vittorio Alfieri for the mock-up of Alonso in Ferrari gear. Check out his website here.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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45 comments on “Fernando Alonso and Ferrari rumours”

  1. Terry Fabulous
    16th July 2008, 7:33

    I reckon Fred will have Kimi’s drive next year.

    Kimi will win the title, retire, tool about in Finland for a few years and then return in 2011 with his first love (Ron) and win his third title with a dramatic last gasp move on his teammate, double world champion Lewis Hamilton at the season finale under lights on the streets of Beiruit in the Lebanon Grand Prix.

    Or maybe not

  2. Surely if Santander need the publicity and the connection with Alonso, they would move over to Renault, making the cars resemble the old Benettons?
    That would allow McLaren to use a ‘Guinness’ theme, and return to black and silver….
    Maybe Alonso would be happy to join Ferrari purely as a ‘Test Driver’ beside old Schuey, and get the money for not doing much…..

  3. DG, santander colors are red and white.
    and for sure alonso will drive the ferrari in 2010 as gp.com reported at monaco gp.

    meanwhile i think he´ll stay at renault and hope next year will be better than this year: symonds getting a bit too much fat; briatore getting married; alonso signing ferrari; sleeping strategies…

  4. luky, i was picturing Renaults as they are now yellow, white and blue, with Santander red and white added – and thats nearly like Benetton!
    And the Ferraris with Santander red and white will be as boring as they are now….

  5. Nico Savidge
    16th July 2008, 9:22

    As a Ferrari fanatic and Alonso hater, I have this to say: PLEASE, DEAR GOD, NOOOOOO!!!!!!!

    I don’t want that whiny, unibrowed punk anywhere near a Ferrari race seat. I’ll root for McLaren if he does.

  6. Kimi made it clear he will be racing with Ferrari in 2009. He said something like he never broke any contract in his life and he does not plan to do it now. Massa has contract till end of 2010.

    So basically, if Ferrari take Alonso next year, they will have to sack one of their current drivers.

    Alonso wants to announce his plans at around Monza race time. By then both Ferrari drivers still may be fighting it out for the title, can’t imagine how would big Luca fire one of them …

    Alosno may go to Ferrari one day but I simply can’t see this happening in 2009 …

    He does not have much luck with timing, does he … When he teoretically could go to Ferrari, he had McLaren contract in the pocket. Last year when McLaren let him go, there was no top team vacancy. And now when he is looking around for post Renault future there are no vacancies in current top teams and at the same time no one can tell what teams will be on top next year (although the usual suspects may be the safest bet).

  7. and besides montezemolo already dismissed a kimi-alonso pair.
    unfortunately.

  8. Time is a great healer of wounds it seems. One could have sworn such a possibility would never have existed this very same time, in 2006, and I seem to recall Alonso saying he will never go RED.

  9. … in 2006 he could not expect another top team would drop him after one season …

  10. I wish Kimi to stay in business for few more years, say till 2011 and with Ferrari!!! He is a nice driver, good skills… I like his driving style. If Kimi stays beyond 2009, then certainly Alonso won’t have a chance at Ferrari for 2010. McLaren being ruled out already, I would be pleased to see him on a BMW alongside Kubica.

  11. My guess is all these rumors are being planted by the Alonso people in order to keep the discussion going of Alonso possibly getting a seat in a car that is able to win races. He blew it at McLaren and now only has Ferrari and potentially BMW left to get back to his old level. It’s of course also a money thing, the longer he is in the doldrums, the less his image is worth.
    I think it all depends on Kimi and of course Massa. If they continue to perform and don’t quit Alonso has no chance. Also bearing in mind that he costs a ridiculous amount of money as well. In a couple of years his value will have plummeted if things continue as they are, maybat that time he could be a “cheap” alternative…

  12. @ Michael K
    I bet Ron would not mind the “ridiculous” amount of money.. had he been able to retain Alonso, surely Alonso along with Lewis would have scored enough to secure the WCC for McLaren, which, with Lewis and Heikki seems very distant at this halfway stage!
    Also we all should keep the fact in mind taht the regulations are going to be changed next year and the experience of Alonso will come handy for any team!

  13. Alonso, for all his sponsor potential and obvious talent, must be tainted goods. Any team employing the Spanish Champ would need to pay for reinforced doors for a start.

    I think it’ll be a couple of seasons at least before Alonso can shrug off his behaviour (or perceived behaviour) of last year, and then jumping ship back to Renault. Just look at Jenson Button – he’s now regarded higher than he was a few years back with his BAR / Williams / Honda contract mess.

  14. Very plausibly. A sin to not try to catch such racer. I like Kimi, but he is not so strong and stable, as Fernando. Everyone is good in own way, but Alonso approaches for struggle for a title more. Kimi is very fast, he can be fastest in separate race, but during the championship such racers as Fernando look more stably and more confidently. I think, Fernando&Ferrari would win a title much more quickly, than Raikkonen. Sorry for my English.

  15. I’m a Ferrari fan, I’m a Raikkonen fan. And whilst I think Massa seems like decent fellow capable of flashes of brilliance, I don’t think he’s worthy of Ferrari’s capabilities.

    I am however a fan of both Alonso and Kubica and as Mani said would like to see them side by side in a team. BMW would be grand, but I have to say I’d LOVE to see what they could both do in a Ferrari. Alonso’s behaviour notwithstanding (and I believe responsibiliy for that whole debacle doesn’t just rest on his shoulders) I think he could potentially do very well within the Italian team.

    To put it a different way. I think the best drivers on the grid today are Raikkonen, Alonso, Kubica and Hamilton. I want the best for Ferrari, so if Raikkonen retires, that just leaves Alonso and Kubica (cause Hamilton will most likely be with McLaren till the end of his career). A bit over-simplified but you get my drift….

  16. I love Alonso, at the same time I dont like Ferrari! So the best option which I would find suitable is Alonso moving BMW alongside Kubica. That will make a great combination to watch!

  17. Logically thinking Alonso wouldnt want to move to another team again after 1 year. What ever the problem with Mc Laren was it was unsolvable, prob the reason why he chose to move.

    I see him in Renault for 09 and Ferrari after that. Renault have proved that they have the capability to improve the car over the season. Despite the bad results Renault is a much better car than what the started out with. With the rules changed and more importance given to driver skill, Renault wont be a bad bet to be in the top teams in 09(remember the rules changes of 05 and who was on top then)

    All in all with Alonso it looks like he is destined to end up at Ferrari at sometime… For his sake i hope its sooner that later.

  18. sChUmAcHeRtHeGrEaTeStEvEr
    16th July 2008, 15:29

    i think it would be a shame if alonso is floating around in the mid-field fopr a few more years, it would be better to see him fighting for wins and if kimi does retire next year watching him and hamilton fight it out for the tittle in different teams could be explosive.

  19. This is the same guy that in one sunny day in Monza, after the FIA (Ferrari International Assistance) almost stole his title, said:

    “I don’t consider F1 anymore a sport.”

    The most interest thing about it is that the same Spanish Media that called that controversial decision in Monza 2006 “a part of a ‘dirty war’ against Fernando is the same one who almost beg nowadays to see him wearing this red overall.

  20. I don’t rule out it won’t happen , but not before 2010 , although I wish Fernando would stay with Renault . He could do a similar thing to what Schumi did with Ferrari , going back to ’96. It would take patience and a few years , but then he would come out bigger than if he jumps to a form team and takes a few more titles.

  21. I’ll put it this way: If Alonso were in the Ferrari this year, there wouldn’t be a tie in the driver standings. He would be leading by at least 10 points.

    He got a raw deal at McLaren and would have done much better if he were comfortable with the team. A tense environment is not conducive to good results. I can only imagine how it felt to be on the outside at that team, especially with Lewis lapping up the attention from Ron and the rest.

    As for those speaking of Alonso’s “behavior”, I think it’s best not to believe everything you read in the papers. I think Alonso dealt with his situation quite well in 2007.

    – Alonso will be up there in the Renault next year.
    – He would also elevate the BMW to new levels.
    – And he would maintain Ferrari at the top of the standings.

    To me, he’ll have a good 2009 regardless.

    1. tEQUILLA sLAMMER
      26th March 2009, 10:30

      Perfect Mick!! #:) couldnt have put it better myself! Fernando is far and away the best driver out there, and Martin Bs recent appraisal of him must really be hurting moRon Dennis at the moment!! McIdiots go into this season with a car apparently well off the pace, while Renault are believed to be 1 of the top 3 runners!!! Could it be that Fernandos claim of giving the MP 4/22 6/10s per lap was more accurate than moRon would like to have us believe?? I certainly think Fernando got a raw deal at McIdiots, and maybe they are starting to pay the price for losing all that experience in FA!!! #:)

  22. Gosh…when Nico is considering rooting for McLaren, you know times are a changin’

    Indeed, I can see Alonso going to Ferrari, but not until after 2009. I think he’ll announce at Monza that he’ll honor the last year of his Renault contract and will open his options up for after 2009. If the Renault improves enough, he’ll stay, but if not, then it’s hello Tifosi.

    To me, the biggest story would be the move by Santander to move to Ferrari. I subscribe to McLaren’s Racing Line magazine, and the pages are always jammed full of happy news about McLaren’s strong and harmonious relationship with Santander/Abbey. Santander would indeed fit in with Ferrari’s paint scheme, and would be a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) after Marlboro went to the all bar code graphics.

    Finally, one question. I believe some people refer to Alonso’s fans as the Blue Army. If he gose to Ferrari, dose this mean that his legions of Tifosi become the “Red Army”?

    Bad joke, I know, but I had to throw that out there.

  23. I think Gman has the right take on this. FA stays at Renault in ’09 and depending on how the car performs, keeps his options open for ’10.

  24. I agree with Gman, the other thing to remember is that the Renault engine is one of the better engines on that grid so without the aero’s the emphasis is going to be more on mechanical grip and engine power. Something that Renault are actually good at.

  25. Rabi: Fernando has complaining a little bit about the engine freeze and ensured that his team improvements were mainly in the aerodynamics area. I´m not sure, but some of this restrictive rules, as engine freeze, could keep the balance of forces as the current year and the teams that has invested amounts of money and brain in aerodynamics area, as Renault did, will struggle to fight against the top three teams again.

    (Just an insight, but even BMW, that has in his a car an aerodynamics and nervous beast, could suffer with those new rules.)

    To be at the top of the grid again, the only hope to Fernando would be to go right to the red team.

  26. I agree with Jean. Alonso should stay in Renault and take his time like Schumi did with Ferrari. Schumi was 2 time WCC and then moved to Ferrari. It took 5 years if i rember right before He started win again and then end is history. Things takes time and when regulations change next year who knows what can happens.
    Other thing is that there is rumor now that Nico may go to McLaren and Kovalainen back to Renault.
    About Ferrari seat for 2009…well i can not see it happnes. Ferrari should kick out Kimi, WCC or Massa top of WCC points at the moment as well. If they will fired one of those 2 and give seat to Alonso then there is something really secret secret what we do not know and can not see. Kimi have said that he will drive Ferrari 100 % sure next year so… Good news is that we will find out sooner or later what happens lol
    pst. Can we move Massa to McLaren and Heikki to ferrari lol

  27. Snoopy: Schumacher’s scored three wins right on his first season with Ferrari (1996)… yeah, he was out of contention for the title, and it took five seasons for him to be champion with the Scuderia, but Alonso’s Renault is much worse… a driver like him cannot afford to stay away from the podium for a whole season… it ruins his confidence, frustrates his fans, irritates his sponsors…

  28. Correct Daniel. what i meaned about win i was thinking WCC lol.
    Yes Alonso should get seat from winning car but..there are only 2 seats per team and only 3 teram at the moment who can really win. NcLaren full, Ferrari full hmmm BMW then. I have thought about that but Alonso and Kubica together….
    Kubica would not respect world champion and he knows BMW cars better than Alonso. Would that mean other fighting season for Alonso?
    Kimi would be perfect team mate to Alonso as Kimi do not care what other people thik, do or say. Massa would be crying if Kimi leave and Alonso steps in. So still No Ferrari to Alonso.
    See…there is not really winning car for Alonso at the moment:(
    Can somebody tell me what happened to renaut suddenly? Alonso won 2 WCC and after that team went from 10 to 0.

  29. Daniel , u r right , that’s why Alonso has little choice now but to do better than his best at Renault – maybe even win a lucky race this year. If he stays at Renault for next year , and still does not win , his “two stars” could start to fade a bit , and with that his chance of moving to a better team. Difficult time for him , I’m sure he knows that.

  30. I just hope that the guy gets a competitive car for the next season. I reckon is a waste for both his carreer and F1 in general to have him fighting for the points. The problem as many have pointed out is that there are only two teams that can fill the bill at the moment. If I would have to put my money I will go for BMW but you never know and if LH wins the champ while Ferrari has the best car maybe Ferrari would change of mind!!

  31. Couldnt BMW be another place for this guy?
    Kubica and Alonso… that wud be gr8 for the game…

  32. …..please don’t send Massa to McLaren! Thats the ultimate cruel twist for them! And I am sure that Hammy won’t be staying too long at McLaren if he doesn’t win the Championship soon. His father may already be on the hunt for a better place and Ferrari are bound to be waving loads of Euros at him….
    I like the thought of Alonso at BMW, they might be tough enough to make him win for the team, and not just himself, but Kubica deserves to be No 1 driver, so that won’t work….

  33. sChUmAcHeRtHeGrEaTeStEvEr
    17th July 2008, 14:32

    dg, im sure hamilton has only just signed a 5 year contract, i dont thnink mclaren are going to let him get out of his contract considering the millions they spent on getting him ready for f1 and he isnt exactly doing bad now hes there is he.

    ideal situation would be renault sorting themselves out and getting back towards the top lke 05 and 06 then we’d have:

    Raikkonen – ferrari
    hamilton – mclaren
    kubica – bmw
    alonso – renault.

    the top 4 drivers in the top 4 teams.

    but i dont think raikkonen will stay later than 09 and rumours are alonso has signed a letter of intent with ferrari for 2010, so unless renault turn into championship challengers next season alonso will be at ferrari for 2010.

  34. schu….. I am sure you are right, but that won’t stop his father from spoiling things for everyone, as he appears to be doing already!
    And although Alonso and Massa sounds like a great pairing, would Massa be content with being a No 2 for another 2 years or more? I know Ferrari officially treat their drivers equally, but when it comes down to it they always have a fravourite, and if it isn’t Alonso when the time comes it will be McLarengate-esque all over again!

  35. Alonso looks good in the overalls, but the answer to this question will appear at the end of the season and on the result of the championship.
    Ferrari are certainly not in any big trouble to warrant Fernando Alonso’s help at the moment, they are well in contention for both championships, however, you get the sense that Alonso’s talents are being wasted at Renault.
    The sheer fact that Alonso has not cemented a long term deal with Renault is telling, in that he is eyeing up a move, one that could only involve BMW Sauber or Ferrari.
    If Kimi Raikkonen does decide to retire anytime soon, then I think its a done deal. Its amazing, we were only speculating about Michael Schumacher’s retirement not so long ago, but this is important.
    If Raikkonen stays, then Alonso is left with two realistic options. Stay at Renault and help develop the package, or move to BMW Sauber.
    The latter option, to me, is more plausible. BMW Sauber have already confirmed that Robert Kubica will drive for them next year, but have yet to do the same with Nick Heidfeld. This could, to the suspicious types among us, be a clue.
    Have Alonso and BMW Sauber had a face to face already? If not, why are BMW Sauber dragging their heels over Heidfeld?
    With Alonso and Kubica under one roof, Mario Theissen would possess one of the greatest driver lineups in modern F1. If they can improve the car from its current position for next year, then they will bring something serious with them for 2009.
    It all hinges on Raikkonen’s future as to the destiny of Alonso. It all depends on how he wants his career to go. I feel, looking at it from the outside in, that Fernando knows his future is not with Renault.

  36. -I think that the character of Alonso together with Massa will be more convenient/adaptable with the Italian team! On the other hand,Kimi who is in my opinion one of the greatest drivers to join the Scuderia Ferrari is too cool for them;he has to learn that their meditereanian character and mentality is quite different when compared to him.Schumacher even learned their language and proved that as a german iceberg he was able to transform them into a winning team…!

  37. michael schumacher
    14th July 2009, 21:45

    kimi just cant be botherd anymore … so move over and let alonso have a go, 2nd fiddle to massa of course!

  38. i always support my favorite racer in F1 FERNANDO ALONSO …

    GO..GO..

    U CAN GIVE THE BEST

  39. Fernando va hacer historia junto con la mas prestigiosa escudera Ferrari.Arriba Alonso.

  40. I think Alonso will be the winner in this years

  41. My Alonso, we step behind you, you have to be the winnner

  42. You my hero, go ahead to be the champion 2010

  43. GP Sepang 2010 your mine guys

  44. Ferrari rock and Alonso is the boost we need

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