We have told Alonso to be team player says Luca

[John S]

How long before Luca has to step in and remind Ferd about the Ferrari way ... 3, 4 or more races in? 
Nice to see Luca still remembers Surtees  and that the relationship fell apart between him & Enzo.

Onestopstrategy.com, Today.

Luca di Montezemolo has admitted Ferrari was concerned Fernando Alonso might not be a team player.

Speaking with international reporters at a Christmas dinner on Friday, the Ferrari president was asked about the Spaniard's reputation and personality, including how his relationship with McLaren so badly broke down in 2007.

"I spoke about these elements with (Stefano) Domenicali maybe 1000 times, not 100, 1000 times, and I spoke with Alonso," he said. "I told him: 'If you come to drive for us, you drive for a team, you drive for a group, you don't drive for yourself.

"If you want your own team, then fantastic you do your own team,  like John Surtees. In Ferrari we want to put you in the best condition to win. If not, we will never hire you," said Montezemolo.

He also clarified that Santander, Ferrari's major new Spanish sponsor, did not demand that Alonso join the team, as was suggested in an interview this week by Kimi Raikkonen.

"Certainly, they (Santander) are happy, but it is not the sponsors that choose the drivers: we have never operated like that and we never will," said Montezemolo.

[david1275]

IMO Alonso will slot in nicely.

[FW14B]

I am intrigued to see how Alonso behaves, surely he must have learned his lessons from last time?  However, I do think Ferrari will treat FA more like their new hero than McLaren did, especially if Schumi does move to Mercedes (given he must be Massa's biggest fan!)

[cosworth151]

I'm not hopeful that Alonso can suddenly become a "team player," but it will be interesting to watch.

If all else fails, maybe he can go to the WRC in 2011. 

[Hampster]

i think alonso with fit in very nicely into ferrari for the first 3 or 4 races, and then he will realise he is number 2 to massa.

[david1275]

i think alonso with fit in very nicely into ferrari for the first 3 or 4 races, and then he will realise he is number 2 to massa.

I hope Massa comes back strong enough to make that a possibility.

[Jericoke]

When was the last time both Ferrari drivers were considered 'team players'?

The closest I can think of is when Schumacher reluctantly came back from his broken leg to back up Irvine.

[Scott]

i think alonso with fit in very nicely into ferrari for the first 3 or 4 races, and then he will realise he is number 2 to massa.

Oh that I seriously doubt.  Unless the knock in the head made Massa a better driver, he won't be #1 to Alonzo.  There is simply no question that Alonzo is a much better and faster driver than Massa.  If Ferrari supports Massa as #1 driver out of emotion, then they are in more trouble than I ever thought.

[Jericoke]

i think alonso with fit in very nicely into ferrari for the first 3 or 4 races, and then he will realise he is number 2 to massa.

Oh that I seriously doubt.  Unless the knock in the head made Massa a better driver, he won't be #1 to Alonzo.  There is simply no question that Alonzo is a much better and faster driver than Massa.  If Ferrari supports Massa as #1 driver out of emotion, then they are in more trouble than I ever thought.

Massa was outperforming Kimi in 2009 before the accident.  I've heard that Kimi is a pretty good driver.  Even won a world championship in an inferior car once.

Based on past performance, I'd have to say that Alonso is the better driver.  However, based on recent career progress, it wouldn't seem far fetched for Massa to be the top performer at Ferrari (medical history is such a wild card... Schumacher won his first Ferrari championship after a major injury).

I'm sure Ferrari will back the best man.  I'd even confidently say that Massa will slip into a supporting role if called upon.  The question is if Alonso can do that.  Ferrari is laying the grou

If Ferrari finds themselves in the same position McLaren did a few years ago, will they pick a driver to win?  If so, will they go with loyal Massa?  Highly paid Alonso?

[cosworth151]

Remember, we're talking about Ferrari. Massa will be the returning Favorite Son who shed his blood for the team. Alonso will be the outsider.

[Scott]

I don't think that will matter.  I still go with the salary - Alonzo is worth more to the team, ergo, he is #1.

[Jericoke]

I don't think that will matter.  I still go with the salary - Alonzo is worth more to the team, ergo, he is #1.

Actually, if we have three straight WDC on budget salaries, it will help the teams immensely, Ferrari included.  If the affordable guys beat the expensive guys, why bother handing out expensive contracts?

Of course, if I'm the one who signed Alonso, I'm going to push to make sure my decision looks like a good one, especially if I'm also the one who paid Kimi not to race.

[david1275]

Remember, we're talking about Ferrari. Massa will be the returning Favorite Son who shed his blood for the team. Alonso will be the outsider.

I don't think that will matter.  I still go with the salary - Alonzo is worth more to the team, ergo, he is #1.

Alonso's position as a double world champion commands the big salary, but I think Massa will start the season very much on a level footing.

I don't believe Ferrari would take on Alonso to make him feel like the outsider, on the contrary I know he will be welcomed into the team with open arms. I know Kimi always seemed a bit of an outsider or at least he did to me, but that's Kimi.

I personally can't wait to see our new team kick ass.