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MONTE CARLO, Monaco - Ferrari has moved to assure Fernando Alonso that the team is fully behind him after the F1 driver made critical comments about a lack of support.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said: "Fernando is the best driver in the world, who always gives 200% in the races. He knows how much I count on him, even away from the track, in terms of his contribution and the impetus he gives to the team."
Alonso, speaking to reporters ahead of the 2014 Monaco GP on Thursday 22, was asked about recent praise directed at him by Mercedes chairman Dieter Zetsche, whose team has won every race far in 2014, during a visit to Spain.
MOTIVATING ALONSO
Alonso said: "It's sometimes strange to see good comments and compliments from people from outside and the opposite from people who are supposed to be close to you.
"It's motivating for me and good to see good comments, and funny when you see the opposite in your closest friends."
The remarks were interpreted more as a criticism of recent media coverage in Spain and Italy than of his team mates but Montezemolo took the opportunity to attack the "idle chat of so-called experts" who, he said, "were always looking for a polemical situation that simply doesn't exist".
"The truth is that he and Kimi (Raikkonen), another incredible driver, need a competitive Ferrari and giving them that is our sole objective.
"We are working very hard, starting with Marco Mattiacci, who knows what needs to be done and who will instigate many changes at a technical and organisational level and in speeding up the decision-making process."
Mattiacci took over as team principal in April 2014 month after Stefano Domenicali quit.
Ferrari, the most successful F1 team and the only one to have competed since the championship started in 1950, has not won a race for more than a year.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Monaco GP.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said: "Fernando is the best driver in the world, who always gives 200% in the races. He knows how much I count on him, even away from the track, in terms of his contribution and the impetus he gives to the team."
Alonso, speaking to reporters ahead of the 2014 Monaco GP on Thursday 22, was asked about recent praise directed at him by Mercedes chairman Dieter Zetsche, whose team has won every race far in 2014, during a visit to Spain.
MOTIVATING ALONSO
Alonso said: "It's sometimes strange to see good comments and compliments from people from outside and the opposite from people who are supposed to be close to you.
"It's motivating for me and good to see good comments, and funny when you see the opposite in your closest friends."
The remarks were interpreted more as a criticism of recent media coverage in Spain and Italy than of his team mates but Montezemolo took the opportunity to attack the "idle chat of so-called experts" who, he said, "were always looking for a polemical situation that simply doesn't exist".
"The truth is that he and Kimi (Raikkonen), another incredible driver, need a competitive Ferrari and giving them that is our sole objective.
"We are working very hard, starting with Marco Mattiacci, who knows what needs to be done and who will instigate many changes at a technical and organisational level and in speeding up the decision-making process."
Mattiacci took over as team principal in April 2014 month after Stefano Domenicali quit.
Ferrari, the most successful F1 team and the only one to have competed since the championship started in 1950, has not won a race for more than a year.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Monaco GP.