Fernando Alonso had little to say when questioned in Spain about recent comments attributed to
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo regarding a possible move to the Scuderia next season.
di Montezemolo was quoted by the Italian press as saying that he would think twice about hiring Alonso alongside
Kimi Raikkonen because he wanted ' two drivers who would work together' - a remark taken by many to reflect less than favourably on the Spaniard's reputation following his acrimonious year alongside
Lewis Hamilton at
McLaren in 2007.
Alonso has since returned to
Renault, but is widely expected to have a get-out clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for a higher-ranked team should the opportunity arise. He was tipped as a possible Ferrari target for 2008 before resuming his relationship with the
regie, but di Montezemolo's comments appear to be closing the door on the double world champion.
"I have nothing to say," Alonso told journalists in Barcelona, "People talk about me, normally very often, which is good - it seems I am quite famous here. But I don't expect anything.
"This is only the fourth race of the championship. I try to be better and better every year – a better driver - but this year will be a tough season for me. It seems I will race in the middle of the group always so, at the end of the year, I will be a better driver. For next year, we will see."
Alonso's chances of escaping 'the middle of the group' should be helped by the introduction of new developments - including revised aerodynamics and a new damper design - on Renault's R28 this weekend, but he remains pessimistic about his chances of being transformed into a podium threat.
