Alonso set to leave Ferrari F1?
As the rumors grow more persistent around Fernando Alonso, Autosport reports that, barring any change in the situation, the Spaniard is expected to leave Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the season. His target would then be McLaren-Honda for 2015.
Are Fernando Alonso and Ferrari on the verge of parting ways by mutual agreement? This is at least what Autosport reported this Friday, indicating that multiple sources suggest a divorce that has already been finalized between the two parties.
For several weeks, rumors regarding the future of the Spaniard have intensified, even though he has done everything to assure that they were unfounded. However, the last few days have seen these rumors strengthen.
The British publication explains that Alonso has reportedly been particularly eager to win a third title—it’s been 8 years since he was last crowned—and would like to leave. At the same time, the Scuderia has reportedly resigned itself, conscious of the fact that it could not offer the double world champion a car competitive enough to allow him to fight for the title in the two years of the contract he has left at the Asturian Bull.
Ferrari recently announced its intention to restructure following the departure of President Luca di Montezemolo in favor of Sergio Marchionne and the appointment of Marco Mattiacci as the team director who will lead this project.
No announcement is expected to be made immediately, but Autosport claims that the situation should be fully clarified and resolved in the coming weeks. In principle, unless there is a last-minute change, the five-season Ferrari-Alonso relationship is expected to end at the end of the season.
At the same time, the Spaniard reportedly does not yet have a defined plan for 2015, however, discussions with McLaren-Honda have reportedly been reopened. Sources close to the matter still claim that no agreement has been reached, contrary to what some rumors suggested before the Japanese GP.
On the Ferrari side, in the event of Alonso’s departure, Sebastian Vettel is considered a priority target, even though the remaining duration of his contract with Red Bull could be an obstacle. In the short term, *Autosport* mentions the case of Jules Bianchi, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, who has expressed his readiness to step up to the main team. However, Nico Hülkenberg and Romain Grosjean are also being closely watched, notably due to their greater experience.
