![\"Fernando-Alonso-3\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/gallery\/f1-2013-rif-images\/f1-2013-drivers\/Fernando-Alonso-3.jpg\")
The Spaniard on Thursday played down a spat with president Luca di Montezemolo, but the question was still posed — did his boss ask him to re-commit to the Maranello team beyond this season?<\/p>\nAmid F1’s ‘silliest silly season’, even Fernando Alonso – with a long Ferrari contract – is being asked by reporters to reveal his cards for 2014.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard on Thursday played down a spat with president Luca di Montezemolo, but the question was still posed — did his boss ask him to re-commit to the Maranello team beyond this season?<\/p>\n
“I think the president is a very intelligent man who is very well informed about everything,” said Alonso.<\/p>\n
“In this respect there was no need to ask me this question,” he is quoted by Speed Week.<\/p>\n
But given the scale of the paddock intrigue at Spa-Francorchamps, that Alonso did not give a categorical answer will not be lost on many.<\/p>\n
In reality, however, Alonso simply spoke out of turn in Hungary, was slapped on the wrist by Montezemolo, and the team’s beloved number 1 was doing some media damage-control on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The real question is who his teammate will be in 2014.<\/p>\n
Reports suggest Felipe Massa has been given two more races – Spa and Monza – to prove he should get a new contract.<\/p>\n
Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Hulkenberg, Jules Bianchi, and perhaps even Jenson Button are being linked with the seat.<\/p>\n
But team boss Stefano Domenicali told Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper on Thursday that Massa is “absolutely yes” still at the top of the Ferrari shortlist.<\/p>\n
The Italian played down the other rumours.<\/p>\n
“We have had Hulkenberg, di Resta, and many, many others (linked to Massa’s seat),” said Domenicali.<\/p>\n
“Without wishing to be repetitive, we are not going to say now that we are deciding who will partner Fernando next year.<\/p>\n
“We are calm, as our priorities are elsewhere.”<\/p>\n
Even so, the questions were still being posed to the major players.\u00a0 Like Alonso, who made clear he is “not afraid” of being paired with Raikkonen next year.<\/p>\n
But the Spaniard also insisted he thinks Massa is the best option.<\/p>\n
“Felipe was better than him (at Ferrari) in 2008 and 2009,” said Alonso.<\/p>\n
Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio, however, said it is obvious that Massa’s manager Nicolas Todt has been busy in recent weeks, lining up a 2014 alternative.<\/p>\n
Massa doesn’t deny that.<\/p>\n
“It’s good to have an idea of what is there for the future,” he said.\u00a0 “I’m not ready to stop racing.\u00a0 It’s also logical that Ferrari is looking at some options.”<\/p>\n
Many in the paddock think the time has definitely arrived for Ferrari to make a change.<\/p>\n
“Felipe is a great guy,” British commentator Martin Brundle is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport, “but I would be disappointed if Ferrari keep him for another year.”<\/p>\n
Fellow broadcaster Johnny Herbert agrees: “Felipe is quick, he’s just not consistent enough.”<\/p>\n
Massa responded: “What some others say, I don’t care.<\/p>\n
“I care what I believe and what people in the team say to me.”<\/p>\n
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