![\"Luca-di-Montezemolo-2\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/gallery\/f1-2012-rif-images\/f1-12-people\/Luca-di-Montezemolo-2.jpg\")
Spaniard Alonso, however, is tied up contractually for years — and Ferrari is more than happy with him.<\/p>\nLuca di Montezemolo on Thursday admitted reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel is next in line for Ferrari’s ‘number 1’ race seat.<\/p>\n
“If, tomorrow, Fernando would withdraw for any reason – let’s say he moves to Hawaii with his girlfriend – then I would want Vettel,” laughed the fabled Maranello based team’s president, according to Auto Motor und Sport.<\/p>\n
Spaniard Alonso, however, is tied up contractually for years — and Ferrari is more than happy with him.<\/p>\n
“I’m incredibly happy with him,” Montezemolo agreed.<\/p>\n
“He is more than just a driver.”<\/p>\n
Referring to Ferrari’s influential past drivers Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher, Montezemolo said Alonso is “a bit of both”.<\/p>\n
But he also doesn’t spare his praise of German Vettel, who while contracted to Red Bull has been the subject of long speculation his future could be in red.<\/p>\n
“He’s young,” Montezemolo started, “he has his feet on the floor, and he has an indomitable will to win.<\/p>\n
“Schumacher made me aware of him years ago because he knew him from his karting years.\u00a0 I must say, Michael was right.”<\/p>\n
Montezemolo admitted Vettel, 25, is higher on Ferrari’s wish list than is Lewis Hamilton.<\/p>\n
“Because he is younger, and because Ferrari would be Hamilton’s third team.\u00a0 And if you’ve reached your third team, your career is already in its second half.”<\/p>\n
Indeed, Montezemolo said he doesn’t even mind that Vettel accused Ferrari of playing “dirty tricks” in a bid to beat him to the 2012 title.<\/p>\n
“In the heat of battle,” said the Italian, “you can always say something emotional.”<\/p>\n
Montezemolo, however, appeared to rule out pairing Alonso with Vettel, saying that sort of star-studded lineup would be “difficult”.<\/p>\n
For now, that keeps Felipe Massa in a job, even though Montezemolo hinted he is keeping his eye on the next generation of potential Ferrari drivers.<\/p>\n
He suggested he will be watching Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg and Romain Grosjean very closely.<\/p>\n
“Next year, we have two and a half new driving pairings: Perez at McLaren, Hamilton at Mercedes, and the half is the ‘new’ Massa with us.<\/p>\n
“I am very curious to see how Hulkenberg goes with our engine at Sauber, and also the young man who on the first laps this year was sometimes a little too fast,” Montezemolo smiled, undoubtedly referring to Frenchman Grosjean.<\/p>\n
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