Thursday 10 April 2014

Ferrari run the risk of losing Alonso

(Scuderia Ferrari SpA via Twitter)
 
Ferrari could potentially lose Fernando Alonso if the Italian teams form does not improve soon. That is the claim of 1978 world champion Mario Andretti, who himself drove for Ferrari in two Grand Prix in 1982 when he filled in for the injured Didier Pironi.
 
Andretti believes that the Spaniard, who won the championship in 2005 and 2006 for the Renault F1 Team could move to a rival team amid speculation that he could return to McLaren. Alonso has been with Ferrari 2010 and despite coming close on a number of occasions has not won the championship with the Italian team and this is why they brought Kimi Raikkonen back to the team as the Finn was the last world champion for the tem in 2007.
 
Speaking to the media about the teams performance in Bahrain, Andretti said:
 
'Ferrari cannot be fighting for the final point. It's not good for Ferrari and it's not good for Formula 1.

He went on to say:

'For some reason or another Ferrari needs to be in the battle. Mercedes is an iconic brand, no question, but when it comes to motor racing and Formula 1 especially Ferrari is the yardstick somewhat. They need to be up front. But they know it. You can tell that everyone is frustrated, beginning with Luca di Montezemolo. I think the drivers are using every bit of restraint not to express themselves. You can't really criticise, as we all know'

Fernando Alonso has endured a difficult start to the 2014 Formula One season and has so far failed to secure a podium for the Italian team and was beaten in qualifying last time out at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain last weekend. The Spaniard has had two fourth place finishes and a ninth place finish in the first three race's of the season.

Alonso heads to the Chinese Grand Prix next weekend as last years winning so it will be interesting to see if Ferrari are able to challenge for the podium here.

©Ben Johnston 2014

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