Ferrari’s Montezemolo heaps praise on Alonso

Fernando Alonso has received praise from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo following comments the Spaniard made on Wednesday, which suggested he was angered by the lack of praise from Ferrari’s management.

Head of Mercedes Dieter Zetsche described the Ferrari driver as “perhaps the best driver” on the grid amid rumours Alonso is looking to leave Ferrari to replace Nico Rosberg at the German marque.

In response, Alonso said it was nice to hear such comments and said such support from his “inner circle” wasn’t so forthcoming.

“Sometimes it’s strange to see good comments and good compliments from people from outside [Ferrari] and from the other side that are supposed to be close to you, there are the opposite comments.”

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However, in response, Di Montezemolo almost immediately issued the following statement, potentially in a bid to calm the escalating situation between Alonso and Ferrari.

“Fernando is the best driver in the world, who always gives 200% in the races,” he said on Thursday.

“He knows how much I count on him, even away from the race track, in terms of his contribution and the impetus he gives to the team.

“I think it’s incredible that there are still some so-called experts who don’t understand that and are always looking for a polemical situation that simply doesn’t exist,” he added.

“The truth is that he and Kimi [Raikkonen], another incredible driver, need a competitive Ferrari and giving them that is our sole objective.

“We are working very hard, starting with Marco Mattiacci, who knows what needs to be done and who will instigate many changes at a technical and organizational level and in speeding up the decision-making process.

“That’s what I want, as do our drivers and our fans, while all the rest is just idle chat.”