Breaking news
Formula 1
Team, not Alonso, makes Ferrari's decisions - boss
Luca de Montezemolo: Attention will switch to the performance (of the car) for the Barcelona test, which is why Fernando will start then."
GMM
Edited: Feb 4, 2013, 2:02 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Feb.4 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has moved to play down the 'Jerez controversy' by insisting Fernando Alonso is not in charge at Ferrari.
First, some suggested that Alonso - Ferrari's undisputed number 1 - had hand-picked Spanish countryman and former McLaren colleague Pedro de la Rosa as his test driver for 2013.
Then, it emerged that de la Rosa would be standing in for Alonso as this week's official test action begins at Jerez.
Luca di Montezemolo with the Ferrari F138
Photo by: Ferrari Media Center
"Decisions are taken by Ferrari, not Alonso," insisted di Montezemolo, Ferrari's imperious president.
Alonso, meanwhile, explained that he needs the break.
"After the end of the last championship, a very hard championship, we had many promotional activities," he is quoted by Italy's Autosprint, "and also in the first half of January I was travelling a lot for a number of commitments.
"So as it was not possible to be ready for the first test, we decided to use that time for physical training in a hot country," Alonso added.
He played down the importance of his Jerez absence.
"The first test of a season is to get a general impression, there is no real work aimed at performance, so I don't think I am missing a lot.
"I will still be in contact with the team and will be informed about everything, even from a distance.
"But these are the last weeks in which you can relax, because it will then be flat out until November," said Alonso.
Luca di Montezemolo and Fernando Alonso
Photo by: Ferrari Media Center
Montezemolo agrees: "Attention will switch to the performance (of the car) for the Barcelona test, which is why Fernando will start then."
According to Spain's AS newspaper, Alonso added: "Anyway, at Ferrari we are very fortunate to have other guys who are like an extension of each of us.
"With Felipe and Pedro it is almost like we are all the same person."
Meanwhile, world champion Sebastian Vettel explained on Sunday that he intends to get up and running in the new Red Bull at Jerez this week.
"Testing is limited," said the German.
"But Jerez is different in that it is a circuit you don't race on so I don't think you miss a lot if you don't test there."
At Jerez, a dry and sunny - albeit windy - week of weather is forecast for the opening test, with Speed Week's Mathias Brunner saying only "a few harmless clouds" are dotting the skies.
And before the circuit kicks into action, McLaren and Toro Rosso have been checking the running systems of their new cars at the Idiada test facility, according to El Mundo Deportivo newspaper.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Force India eyeing Bianchi, Sutil, Kobayashi or Senna?
Next article Mercedes AMG’s F1 W04 takes center stage at Jerez
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Fernando Alonso
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
18 h
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
“Am I confident? Probably not” – The unprecedented challenge Singapore is throwing at F1 drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
“Am I confident? Probably not” – The unprecedented challenge Singapore is throwing at F1 drivers
More from
Ferrari
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
16 min
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Latest news
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
16 min
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
10 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
10 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe