![\"Martin-Whitmarsh-1\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/gallery\/f1-2013-rif-images\/f1-2013-persons\/Martin-Whitmarsh-1.jpg\")
Ferrari’s Spaniard denied the speculation yet again when it emerged earlier in Korea, but McLaren boss Whitmarsh says the team “could afford” to sign F1’s highest-paid driver.<\/p>\nMartin Whitmarsh is keeping “wild rumours” in the headlines that Fernando Alonso could return to McLaren in 2014.<\/p>\n
Ferrari’s Spaniard denied the speculation yet again when it emerged earlier in Korea, but McLaren boss Whitmarsh says the team “could afford” to sign F1’s highest-paid driver.<\/p>\n
The suggestions about McLaren’s ability to pay Alonso follows reports the great British team, locked in a performance slump this season, has recorded a financial loss.<\/p>\n
“We could afford to bring Alonso here next year,” Whitmarsh is quoted by the Guardian.<\/p>\n
“I shouldn’t be stoking wild rumours of his return in 2014 but would we welcome him back, be delighted to have him back in the team?\u00a0 Of course we would.”<\/p>\n
The rumours are being further stoked by Alonso’s continuing obvious frustration at Ferrari, where he qualified just sixth on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Speed Week quotes him as saying he is getting used to being outpaced by Red Bull.<\/p>\n
“It has been the same for the past four years,” said Alonso, who joined Ferrari in 2010, “and now we are the fourth fastest team in the field.<\/p>\n
“But we have been able to fight for the title three teams, so we can be proud,” he added.<\/p>\n
F1 legend Alain Prost said he can understand Alonso’s frustration.<\/p>\n
“Fernando deserves to be champion, but mistakes have been made and that may have caused frustration,” the Frenchman told Spain’s El Pais.<\/p>\n
“It is true that he has also not had much luck, but the combination of Red Bull and Vettel is very difficult to beat.<\/p>\n
“Where I disagree with him is you can’t really blame Ferrari; if he was always in the middle of the field I could understand, but the car has always been quite competitive.<\/p>\n
“Red Bull is just better, period,” added Prost.<\/p>\n
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