Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has dismissed speculation surrounding Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen’s respective future’s at the Scuderia.
Both have been at the centre of wild rumours, particularly Alonso who many believe is seeking a seat elsewhere having grown tired of Ferrari’s lack of progress.
Raikkonen meanwhile has been linked with early retirement once again, with poor results pressuring him to up his game of make way for fresh talent such as Jules Bianchi.
Montezemolo has described such rumours as “unfounded gossip”.
“We are lucky to have two great champions, who are working with the whole team to get back to being competitive again,” he told Ferrari’s website.
“Of course, as is the case every summer, there is unfounded gossip about alleged problems with senseless rumours bandied about, such as the ones relating to Alonso’s contract or those of drivers’ salaries.
“We know that the summer heat always produces silly stories. Our drivers must now relax in order to return in top form. The season is still long and we need Fernando and Kimi to be in great shape. And on the subject of Kimi, I wish him all the best as he is soon to become a dad.”
On the subject of the sport itself, the 66-year-old reports that progress has been made after he called for an emergency meeting to discuss ways of drawing F1 audiences back, including the use of social media.
“As for our sport in general, we are pleased to see that all the major players share the views we first put forward regarding the need to revamp Formula One. We have proposals aimed specifically at improving the show, starting with more straightforward regulations, which put the spectators first, especially the younger generation.”
