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Red Bull Racing runs with Alonso rumour

Red Bull Racing runs with Alonso rumour

  • Published on 29 Jul 2013 10:31
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Red Bull is running with the rumour, after Fernando Alonso's manager was spotted in talks with Christian Horner in Hungary. The suggestion Ferrari's number 1 is about to sensationally switch to Red Bull to replace Mark Webber could have been easily denied, as Alonso's manager Luis Garcia Abad also looks after the career of youngster Carlos Sainz jr.

Instead, Horner said: "There are statements about Kimi and statements about Fernando but we have to make sure nothing clouds our judgment about next year." Actually, most informed experts, insiders and pundits suspect Horner is either using the opportunity to destabilise championship rival Ferrari, or that Alonso planted the story to heap pressure on Ferrari.

Indeed, the Spaniard's rhetoric stepped up a notch on Sunday, after he lost further ground to runaway points leader Vettel in the Hungarian heat. "We are trying to close the gap," Alonso told Spanish reporters after the race, "but the superiority of the Red Bull is overwhelming. And not just Red Bull, also Mercedes, Lotus … If the team can make some good new parts in the summer and we win four or five races in a row, we can still win the title," added Alonso.

On Italian television Sky, he sounded even more critical. "It is four years we have had a slower car, between half and one second behind the leader, and we have fought to the end for the world championship still. I do not think it will be different this year. We will fight until the end."

Alonso was less forthcoming when it came to the Red Bull rumours. "Nothing to say," he insisted. Asked if he was however contemplating his long Ferrari contract, he added: "It sounds like the same question put another way. Therefore I will not respond."

He denied knowing his manager had met with Horner, and then pointed the finger at F1's intrigued journalists. "It's nearly August, so four weeks without formula one is a very dangerous period for you guys (reporters)," said Alonso. "I hope you have a calm summer."

Alonso's management team, meanwhile, indicated the thought of the two-time world champion becoming Vettel's new teammate is ridiculous. "Yes," an insider told Marca newspaper, "but only if Vettel is in the second car." Another insider, this one close to Ferrari, told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport the whole story sounds like "a cheap diversion to destabilise".

Horner, meanwhile, ruled out 'swapping' Vettel for Alonso, while F1's reigning triple world champion also indicated he would fight to keep the Spaniard out of the team. "I am sure that Fernando is a nice guy and I respect him as a driver," said Vettel. "I would rather have Kimi." (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
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Silverstone
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Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
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Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy
Monza
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Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
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Marina Bay Street Circuit
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United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
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Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
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Brazil
Interlagos
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United States of America
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Qatar
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United Arab Emirates
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Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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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
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China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
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Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
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Monaco Monte Carlo
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Canada Gilles Villeneuve
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Spain Circuit de Catalunya
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Austria Red Bull Ring
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Hungary Hungaroring
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Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
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Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
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Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
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Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
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United States of America Circuit of the Americas
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Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
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Driver profile

ES Fernando Alonso 14
  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 526
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 148
  • 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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