Bianchi applies to Ferrari F1 in case of departure of Alonso or Räikkönen
The French driver is applying for a seat at Maranello in case one of the two Ferrari drivers leaves. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso remains mysterious about his future.
Jules Bianchi feels ready to join Maranello next season if one of the two seats becomes available. This season, the driver from Nice scored his first 2 points in F1 at the Monaco GP. The French driver is part of the Scuderia Ferrari Young Driver Academy.
« Of course, I feel ready. I’ve been working since I joined the Academy, since the end of 2009, so now that I’ve done two seasons in F1, I think I’ve accumulated good experience and I’m ready to take a step up, » he explained to Crash.net. « It seems like the logical step for me, and if something like that happens… obviously, for the moment, both drivers have a contract so it’s not in question, but if there’s a possibility, I think it would be very good for me. »
When asked about the subject, Sebastian Vettel downplayed the rumor of him going to Italy in case Alonso leaves: « There are a lot of rumors, especially at this time of the season, but it’s not really on my mind. After my good performance in Singapore, I hope to have a very good race here. That’s really where I intend to focus ».
Once again, Fernando Alonso is at the center of transfer rumors at Suzuka. The Spanish driver is being courted by McLaren: « I live for my work and I prepare myself from January 1st to December 31st with each team I drive for. It’s no different here, but it’s special because it’s a different team and the best team in the world. I’ve been here for 5 years, I’ve given everything on the track and the numbers speak for themselves. Off the track, sometimes it was public, sometimes not, my priority has always been the best interest of Ferrari. »
« I don’t live outside the world, so I’m aware of all the rumors that come out every day. It doesn’t help; as I said in Singapore, we are in the middle of a battle with Williams in the Constructors’ Championship and I want to help Ferrari as much as possible. That’s the first priority for me […], then my other priority is my future even if there’s nothing to say about it, » the Spaniard said at a press briefing.
« There is no information from last year and this year, in July, in August, in September, and now we arrive in October and there is still no news. Between races, there are a lot of rumors, so we’ll see. » When asked, finally, if he can assert that he will not be at McLaren or Red Bull in 2015 or 2016, the double world champion remains evasive: « It’s a very difficult question to answer. I will repeat my answer: I will do my best for Ferrari. »
On Thursday evening, rumors fueled in particular by James Allen, a British F1 journalist on his blog, mentioned a confirmed departure from Ferrari and an imminent arrival of Alonso at McLaren. However, no top-tier journalistic source or official statement has substantiated this rumor.
