Alonso manager responds after Marchionne insult

  • Published on 17 Dec 2015 11:16
  • comments 3
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Two figures have defended Fernando Alonso following a verbal jibe by Ferrari's new president Sergio Marchionne. Just as Marchionne swept into Maranello last winter, Alonso was racing to the exit, and the new president now says Ferrari could not be happier with the Spaniard's successor Sebastian Vettel. "In only one year, I can say he (Vettel) became more 'Ferrarista' than Alonso did in five years," Marchionne charged.

There is no love lost between Marchionne and his own predecessor, and so former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was quoted by Italy's Autosprint as defending Alonso after the jibe. "Alonso would have been more 'Ferrarista' if we had managed to win the world championship in 2010, when it was easier for us to win it than lose it," Montezemolo said.

He is referring to the strategy calamity during the 2010 finale that cost Alonso the title and his engineer Chris Dyer his job. Montezemolo added: "When twice in three years you lose the championship in the last race, I think it's necessary to understand these things."

Also defending Alonso after the Marchionne insult is his manager Luis Garcia Abad, who said: "I'm glad for Marchionne that Ferrari is competitive and strong again -- so we're all happy. I think in twenty years it will be Fernando who is remembered more than many others at Maranello," he added. "Ferrari talks but they are in our hearts still."

"We continue to have many friends in Maranello," said Garcia Abad, "who know that we only want the best for Ferrari. And in the spirit of Christmas, there is no controversy. Happy holidays to the Rossa (red)," he concluded. (GMM)

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Its not really an insult, just a plain statement. And Vettel has really bent himself in trying to become a Ferrari driver, whereas Alonso perhaps didnt.

    • + 0
    • Dec 17 2015 - 16:38
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    Marchionne his mouth seems to be getting bigger and bigger. He could show more humility and respect io verbally assaulting other people.

    • + 0
    • Dec 17 2015 - 18:24
  • Hepp

    Posts: 200

    it seems that Marchionne has been taking public speaking lessons from Helmut Marko, Christian Horner and Donald Trump. If Marchionne even knew Fernando a little bit, he would not keep choking on his shoe-laces.

    • + 0
    • Dec 18 2015 - 07:50

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 326
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 124
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (41)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar