Ferrari on a possible Alonso return: “We talked but he is no longer part of our plans”. Mattia Binotto on a possible Alonso return.

At Scuderia Ferrari’s Christmas lunch with the media, which took place yesterday in Maranello, the Italian side’s Team Principal was asked about Spanish driver Fernando Alonso possibly coming back: “We talked to each other but he is no longer part of our plans.” – the Ferrari boss explained.

At the same time, Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri downplayed the importance of the meeting between Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari chairman John Elkann, insisting it had taken place at a social event: “Obviously, it was a social event, which has sort of been blown somewhat out of proportion, but it was a social event. They have some common friends.”

The speculation surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future was also helped by the fact that few see German driver Sebastian Vettel extending his stay at Ferrari past 2020, when his own current contract will have run its course: “The fact is we have a long-term agreement with one driver [Charles Leclerc] and with the other driver the agreement expires at the end of 2020,” added Louis Camilleri who said he had not met with Hamilton. We clearly are very flattered that Lewis in particular, and other drivers want to come and join us, but it would be premature to decide anything today.” – he concluded, as reported by the Italian media earlier today.