F1 news: Ferrari and Mercedes move claim discussed by McLaren driver Fernando Alonso
FERNANDO ALONSO says Flavio Briatore just wants the best for him after he was linked with Ferrari and Mercedes by the former F1 supremo.
Alonso began his fourth season racing with McLaren at the Australian Grand Prix three weeks ago and went on to finish fifth in Melbourne.
The Spaniard slipped down two places at the Bahrain Grand Prix last Sunday though and that prompted Briatore to claim he would be better off moving to one of McLaren’s F1 rivals.
"Fernando must go to Mercedes or Ferrari," said former Benetton and Renault chief Briatore, who’s part of Fernando Alonso’s management team.
"Renault [another option] is still a good distance from being a top team."
Alonso has now discussed Briatore’s comments as he gears up for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
"Flavio wants the best for me in terms of results," said Alonso.
"In the last two or three years there were three teams ahead of the others so I understand his comments.
GETTY
GETTY
"But I'm happy where I am now. I think there are many things that we will change and we will become more competitive.
"So I think that in the next couple of months, the place to be is McLaren. That is the message for our fans and the people who support us."
Alonso is currently fourth in the F1 drivers’ standings, behind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.