Planet-F1

Alonso: Ferrari reports are only rumours

Thursday 9th July 2009

Fernando Alonso has denied reports that he's off to Ferrari next season, saying he hasn't even held talks with the Italian squad.

Every year when F1's silly season starts in ernhest, rumours emerge linking Alonso to Ferrari and this year is no different.

Last month, Spanish daily Diario AS carried a report claiming that Alonso had signed a five-year deal with Ferrari starting in 2010, adding that official confirmation would be forthcoming at the Italian GP.

Ferrari denied the reports.

This week it's an Italian newspaper that is reporting of Alonso's pending arrival in Italy, saying he's signed a two-year deal that includes a three-year option.

Alonso, however, has denied the report.

"They are only rumours. They have been happening in the last four or five years," he told reporters at the Nurburgring.

Asked if he had been talking with Ferrari or already had a contract with the Scuderia, he said: "No and no."

As for his future, the double World Champion says he hopes to soon be driving for a team that is capable of winning races and World titles.

"It is important, but it is not the end of the world," he said.

"I am missing winning - there are no doubts. I want to win and to have a performing car as soon as possible, but I also understand that this is sport and it happens everywhere - not only in motor racing.

"It happens in tennis, it happens in NBA, in football. Sometimes you go up and down in your career. In motorsport, it is even more important to have the car and the package.

"We saw with Michael (Schumacher), maybe the greatest driver ever, two World Championships in Benetton and then five years in Ferrari waiting because this is not only the human part, it is also the team and the package.

"So, I put myself in that part of my career, in stand by, and I am preparing myself very strong physically and mentally."