Fernando Alonso is not tempted to quit Ferrari and join Red Bull, according to Flavio Briatore, the head of his management team.
Rumours circulated over the course of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that Alonso could make a switch to Red Bull.
Alonso is known to be frustrated with his failure to land a third Formula One world title since joining Ferrari in 2010, albeit twice coming close, both that year and again last season.
In particular, Alonso is unhappy at the lack of qualifying pace in his current car which has put him on the backfoot in races and which has left him trailing Sebastian Vettel by 39 points in the title race going into the summer break.
With representative Luis Garcia Abad chatting with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner at the Hungaroring, and with the latter refusing to dispel speculation of a possible move for the 32-year-old Spaniard, the stories of a switch intensified.
Briatore, however, maintains Alonso is going nowhere as he said: “Fernando has a contract and contracts must be respected.
“Alonso has never said he wants to leave. Ferrari-Alonso remains a winning pairing.”
Asked by Gazzetta dello Sport whether Alonso was tempted to join the reigning triple world champions, Briatore replied: “No. No temptation whatsoever.”
Instead, Briatore feels it is up to Ferrari to raise their own game and provide Alonso with a car that can clinch the title.
“It’s normal for a racing driver to desire a competitive car and the team must work hard to supply it. End of story,” said Briatore.
“He needs to have at his disposal a car that allows him to start from the top two rows.
“We knew it would be tough in Hungary, as it was when I was (team principal) at Renault. They need to quickly find the instruction manual at Maranello.”
Briatore, who also manages Mark Webber, believes the Australian has made a wrong call to quit Formula One to join Porsche’s sportscar programme, even if he can understand his reasoning.
“He was already tired at the end of last season,” said Briatore.
“It is his decision, even if it’s wrong in my opinion, because he’s still quick, as he showed last Sunday.
“Had Mark decided to stay for another year, the seat would be his.”
