Formula One news

Sponsors do not choose our drivers, say Ferrari

Ferrari has moved to clarify any gossip that the team's choice of drivers for 2010 may have been influenced by sponsors of the team. The Scuderia is set to confirm its partnership with Spanish bank Santander at Monza on Thursday, with many also expecting Fernando Alonso to soon be announced as a driver for next season.

The team makes all decisions, says di Montezemolo

With Santander set to make the move from McLaren to Ferrari, 2010 will be the company's fourth year of involvement in Formula One after entering with McLaren in 2007, the year Alonso joined the Woking team. However, di Montezemolo stresses that sponsor and driver selection remain sole decisions of Ferrari as opposed to shared ones with partners.

"As far as Ferrari is concerned, this will be a Grand Prix, which is traditionally not very good to us, but we will give it everything for a good result," the President of the Maranello team said. "I am happy that I've chosen an Italian driver, Fisichella, to race here and also Räikkönen is on great form.

"I'll be back here tomorrow (Thursday) to talk about a new partnership but that doesn't mean anything in terms of choices for the near future: I want to say it again, that the drivers are chosen by Ferrari and not by the sponsors."

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage