BERLIN, Germany - Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo wants triple Formula 1 World champion Sebastian Vettel to race for him.
"He is a future potential Ferrari driver," Montezemolo told German magazine Auto Motor and Sport. "If Alonso retired tomorrow, for whatever reason, then I want Vettel."
Vettel, however, extended his Red Bull contract t0 2016 after winning his third consecutive World title in November 2012.
DESTINED TO SUCCEED
Montezemolo admitted he could not imagine Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, 31, and Vettel, 25, racing for the same team. "Alonso and Vettel, that would be difficult," he said. "When you have the best driver in the world, you must offer optimal conditions."
The Ferrari boss praised Vettel in the highest terms. F1 legend Michael Schumacher had been the first to alert him to Vettel's obvious talent.
"He's young, he has both feet on the floor, he is down-to-earth and he has an overwhelming will to win," Montezemolo added. "Schumacher pointed him out to me four years ago because he knows Vettel from his karting days.
"I must say, Michael was right."
Vettel beat Alonso to the 2012 World Drivers' championship by only three points, but Montezemolo insisted he was very happy with Spaniard Alonso.
"He is more than just a driver. He is a key figure because he puts so much into the team's work."