Former F1 chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, has advised Ferrari to consider signing Fernando Alonso in 2018 in the event of either Sebastian Vettel or Kimi Raikkonen leaving the team at the end of this year.
Ferrari should sign Fernando Alonso – Ecclestone
Alonso’s manager, former Renault team principal, Flavio Briatore, has revealed that although Alonso appeared to cut his ties with Ferrari that the double world champion only ever in fact clashed with former team boss, Marco Mattiachi.
Speaking to the Spanish ABC newspaper, when Ecclestone was asked about who Ferrari should sign in the event of a vacancy in 2018, he simply stated: “Alonso, of course. He is one of the best F1 drivers of all time.”
This follows doubts over Alonso’s future at McLaren beyond 2017, with the team’s woes with Honda promoting a number of sources to suggest that Alonso may be switching teams in 2018. While many have suggested that Alonso leaving McLaren is already a done deal due to the Spaniard’s management team being sighted in talks with Mercedes and Renault, McLaren still remain confident that Alonso will stay with the team in 2018.
Alonso signed for Ferrari in 2010 to partner Felipe Massa before signing a three year deal to drive for McLaren from 2015-2017 after an uncompetitive 2014 Season caused the Spaniard to jump ship. Since joining McLaren, Alonso has failed to secure a podium finish with his best finishing position being multiple fifth places while 2017 has only brought one points finish for the driver so far.
While Ferrari have been advised to sign Alonso in 2018 in the event of a vacancy, Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Ferrari have a verbal agreement with Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo in the event that Sebastian Vettel leaves the team in 2018.
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