“In situations like this [with the raft of new technical and aerodynamic regulations for 2009], a team can gain an advantage over another because its engineers have had a hunch that turns out to work better,” the 69-year-old reasoned. “In that context I have no doubts – I would prefer to have Alonso in my team, because for me he is still the best driver around.

“He is stronger even than Lewis Hamilton; the two are equal in terms of raw speed, but Fernando has a lower propensity to make mistakes. He's consistent, has a good rhythm inside the car and he's intelligent.

“He and Ferrari would represent an exceptional duo. In winning the constructors' world championship, Maranello showed that it had worked the best, both in the factory and at the races – but if you miss out on the drivers' title, perhaps the fault for that lies with the man in the cockpit…”