Former Scuderia Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali (currently CEO and President of Lamborghini) says it is possible Fernando Alonso will return to the Maranello team. The Spanish driver raced for the Maranello team for five years until their relationship soured and he left at the end of 2014.
Stefano Domenicali’s interview for Auto Bild:
What did you feel the day Fernando Alonso announced his retirement from Formula 1?
Stefano Domenicali: “I felt a little sad, because I think Fernando is one of the best drivers in Formula 1. He is an authentic character who has a large group of followers. He has decided to take a different step in his sports career and I think that Formula 1 will miss him. We’ll have to get used to it and I’m sure the first race in Australia (without him) will not be the same.”
What memories do you have of the days you worked together?
“I think they were incredible times. We do not get the results that I think we should have achieved together. There were two years, 2010 and 2012, in which despite not being in the best overall situation we reached the last race of the season with options to achieve the championship. We lost it for nothing, for details that did not work well. It was an incredible time, with a lot of enthusiasm. We also had difficult times and at the end of the day you feel disgusted because it was a pity that we did not get at least one title together. Both the team and Fernando deserved it.”
There are people who say that Fernando Alonso is a controversial pilot in the teams he works for. I think you are the right person to tell us if this is right or not.
“To be honest, when we work with these types of personalities, with so much talent … you can not tell if it is difficult or not. We have to keep in mind that he is a great personality and a public figure. The only thing I can say is that (Alonso) was very strong, he was very motivated and wanted to get many things. Beyond that, if I am honest, saying that it is controversial is totally incorrect.”
Could you remind me of a special moment that you lived with Alonso?
“We lived incredible moments. For example the first victory together, which was also the first victory for Alonso in 2010, with Felipe in second place, in Bahrain. Winning the first race of the year was incredible. Then there are the impressive victories in Valencia and Barcelona. But if I have to keep one, it would be the victory in Monza. We have a great image of everyone on the podium, with all the team together there. Seeing everyone cheering the team, shouting … it was something really special.”
Four years ago you left the Ferrari team and Alonso did the same a few months later … Do you think that Ferrari should have made a greater effort to retain him?
“That’s a good question. I have a lot of respect for the people who make these kinds of decisions and whether I say yes or no, it could be interpreted differently. But I have to say that everything in life has a beginning and an end. Even so, the way in which the story ended was not entirely pleasant or the best, but in the end it was as it happened. We have to remember the good times that Alonso and Ferrari lived together and I am sure that this is how Fernando keeps this time in his heart and in his mind “.
Would you like to see Fernando again in Formula 1?
“Sure, I’d love to see him back, but we have to respect his decision and desire to take on new challenges. We have to wait and see. Compete where he competes, he will do it with total motivation, as he has always done, fighting to the end “.
Can you imagine him going back to Ferrari?
“It would be a great story, but it is something that should not be forced, because it might not turn out well. But if he makes that decision in the future, why not? In any case, it depends on whether Fernando returns and the people who have to decide it. I leave that decision to them, and we must bear in mind that it does not only depend on Ferrari: it also depends on Fernando.”
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