Fernando Alonso revealed on Thursday during the FIA press conference, that he has a say in who partners him at Ferrari.
The Spaniard was posed the question of who could be his next team-mate with Ferrari looking likely to replace Felipe Massa. Speculation has linked several drivers to the seat and Alonso insists any driver would be welcome.
“Every time is the same with Ferrari: whatever team-mate comes in the future will be welcome, he will be part of the team and part of Ferrari,” he said. “Whatever team-mate comes in the future it will not be a problem and we will try to work as we are doing now with Felipe.”
The 30-year-old then confirmed what many in the paddock had suspected – that he has a say as to who sits in the second Ferrari.
“In the past, never. Now in Ferrari, yes,” he added. “I am in Italy every week when we are there. Sometimes I see the president, I see Stefano and we talk about development of the car.
“We talk about the future en F1, about Corse Clienti, owners who have old F1 cars that want us to be there in some circuits to teach some senior drivers, and also about future and team-mates, etc.”
The double world champion also insisted he would have “no problem” partnering Lewis Hamilton again – who happened to be sat to his left in the press conference.
