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Alonso fully committed to his long-term Ferrari contract

Alonso fully committed to his long-term Ferrari contract

  • Published on 11 Jul 2013 12:11
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Fernando Alonso has given a short life to speculation he might soon tire of failing to win titles with Ferrari. Former F1 driver David Coulthard said he sensed the Spaniard, who turns 32 later this month, was becoming frustrated with Ferrari's flagging form last time out at the Nurburgring. "It's a long time since Alonso won a world championship," BBC commentator Coulthard said, "and that's not because he's not putting in world championship level performances. "If this continues for that much longer, you have to wonder how much longer Alonso can stay at Ferrari."

Alonso, however, is quoted by Wednesday's latest edition of German magazine Sport Bild as saying he remains fully committed to his long-term Ferrari contract -- and perhaps even beyond that. "I have no idea how long I'll be in formula one," he said, "but if I renew (the contract beyond 2016), then it will be with Ferrari."

Indeed, while keen to add a third title to his tally, Alonso suggested that just as important to him is how he is perceived -- as perhaps F1's best driver. "I am satisfied with myself and with my performance," he agreed. "When I won my two titles, I felt the recognition of being regarded seriously as a good driver. Today I am seen as one of the best drivers, although I have not won another title since then," added Alonso.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh would agree with Alonso, comparing him with F1's reigning triple world champion Sebastian Vettel, who looks set to win a fourth consecutive title in 2013. The German "is an impressive driver", Whitmarsh admitted. "But he will never get the recognition he deserves, as long as he drives for Red Bull."

Boss Christian Horner dismissed that view as "bullsh*t", but Alonso insisted: "Yes, every great champion should drive for Ferrari if he has the opportunity." He said the Maranello marque is "more than a formula one team". "F1 without Ferrari is inconceivable, but that doesn't apply to other teams that come and go. Some auto makers come in and then go out again," said Alonso. "The same for some private teams and energy drink manufacturers."

Alonso's last comment is a direct jibe at Red Bull, and indeed he said he would welcome Vettel as his teammate in red, and Adrian Newey as the designer of his Ferrari. "I want to work with the best people," said the 31-year-old, "so if I said I didn't want Newey on the team, I'd be lying." (GMM)

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Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia
Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China
Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco
Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria
Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
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United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
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United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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Qatar Losail International Circuit
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United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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Driver profile

ES Fernando Alonso 14
  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 533
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 149
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
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