29/07/2013
NEWS STORY
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Just as F1 heads off on its holidays, it is revealed that Fernando Alonso is on Red Bull's shopping list. Hmmm.
There are a few facts in life. One is that most drivers dream of driving for Ferrari at one stage in their career. Another is that Fernando Alonso will be on most teams' wish lists… along with Adrian Newey.
However, like the author's chances of having dinner with the brunette in the latest Boots No 7 ad (wardrobe malfunction)... it aint gonna happen.
Although we are well aware that driver contracts are rarely worth the paper they are printed on - ask Timo Glock - those of high profile stars such as Alonso and Sebastian Vettel are treated with a lot more respect, until they reach the end of their usefulness, a la Schumacher and Raikkonen at the end of their Ferrari careers.
The 'news' that Red Bull is considering Alonso comes just as the teams break for the summer, at a time when the lack of genuine news will have the media picking at the bones of the slightest, most outlanding rumour.
If nothing else, the 'news' will give Ferrari a much needed kick up the backside, alerting the Italian team that its star wants to start winning, whilst also telling Kimi Raikkonen and his manager, Steve Robertson (above), that there are other fish in the sea and that perhaps the financial deal on the table should be a little more realistic.
Be honest, if, a week ago, we'd linked Alonso with Vettel at Red Bull in 2014 you'd have thought us insane, any credibility we have, such as it is, would have gone out the window.
Whilst some choose to stick their fingers in the air and hope they are 'proved' right - Briatore to run Ferrari anyone? - others opt to live in the real world.
Check out our race day gallery, here.