A very tough and fast response from Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, who did not want to overlook the recent comments made by Jean Alesi. A few days ago, the former Ferrari driver had harshly criticized the well-known newspaper, branding it as “not serious” and accusing it of having launched a “rumours just to create hype”. All, obviously, in reference to the speculation which was reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport (but also other major news outlets) regarding the separation between Mattia Binotto and Ferrari, which was initially denied by the Maranello team ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but which does in fact seem to be on the verge of being confirmed.
In a recent article written by Stefano Barigelli and entitled “Ferrari changes and leaves behind the usual losers”, La Gazzetta dello Sport has decided to respond to the accusations launched by the former French driver:
“At the time it wasn’t bullshit. The end of Mattia Binotto’s time at Ferrari, which was reported by the Gazzetta was branded just like that, bullshit, by Jean Alesi. The sentence, in itself insignificant considering that it was pronounced by one of the least successful drivers in the Formula 1 history actually assumes its importance. Ferrari is the best known Italian sports brand in the world, it has a glorious history even if the present is complicated. But in motor racing and in such a long history, there can be difficulties. Former drivers and figures inside the team in recent years, but to tell the truth, even in the past, have supported the Maranello team often more by damaging it than by helping it” – La Gazzetta dello Sport writes.
The Italian newspaper then continued by repeating more or less the same concepts expressed previously but in an even harsher way: “On the other hand, if you rely on drivers who have spent more time on the track losing than winning, on communication professionals whose curriculum vitae boasts more dismissals than promotions, one cannot be surprised if the result of so many commendable efforts is the opposite of the one hoped for. It’s not just because you say you’re good that you suddenly become world champion. The outcome of Mattia Binotto was caused by the many disappointments, the mistakes made, equaled only by the enormous investments made in recent years. Our newspaper has only recounted them, not created them, always trying to be a motivation for Ferrari to return to winning the drivers’ world title that has been missing since 2007”.
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The reference to Enzo Ferrari
“Enzo Ferrari from whom it all began said: «I’m not embarrassed by questions from journalists, but by those I ask myself”. Yet it had happened to him too, the greatest of all, to go years without winning. Knowing no other road than continuing to work hard and to struggle for the World Championship to return home to Maranello. Recovering that spirit is the first point of the program that the team principal must set for himself and for those around him. Forget the grand masters of the order of excuses, forget the beggars. The losers who always have the truth in their pockets and an empty record sheet. Ferrari does not need over-zealous ex drivers and commentators in red overalls, so at least they can still sign some autographs. To beat Mercedes and Red Bull, Hamilton and Verstappen, they’re not needed. There’s still a season ahead of us to build starting with a driver, Charles Leclerc, who has everything to be a champion. The rest, if Ferrari does Ferrari, will come by itself.”
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