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Ferrari boss had concerns over Alonso
ESPNF1 Staff
December 19, 2009
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Luca di Montezemolo had doubts over hiring Fernando Alonso © Sutton Images
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Ferrari boss, Luca di Montezemolo, has admitted that he had concerns about bringing Fernando Alonso to the team - as he wasn't sure he could be a team player.
Alonso, who signed with Ferrari in September, ousted Kimi Raikkonen from the Italian team. However di Montezemolo has admitted that he was not sure if Alonso would fit into the team dynamic.
"We have been watching him since 2007," di Montezemolo said. "He is an extremely talented driver, quick and good at working with a team, while being totally focused on winning.
"I spoke about [his doubts] with [Stefano] Domenicali maybe 1,000 times, not 100, 1,000 times, and I spoke with Alonso. I told him: 'If you come to drive for us, you drive for a team, you drive for a group, you don't drive for yourself. If you want a team, then you do your own team, fantastic, like John Surtees . In Ferrari we want to put you in the best condition to win. If not, we will never hire you'."
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