SUZUKA, Japan: Fernando Alonso indicated his Formula One future was in his own hands despite Red Bull announcing yesterday that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was leaving to join Ferrari.
“It’s very open. There are many possibilities. Everything is going according to plan and let’s wait and see,” said the Ferrari driver after qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix.
With Suzuka braced for a typhoon that could lash the circuit after today’s race, Red Bull kicked up a storm of their own with news ending the sport’s most successful recent partnership.
Principal Christian Horner told reporters the 27-year-old German was joining Ferrari, something the Italian team refused to confirm.
The announcement wrong-footed a paddock that had been expecting Spaniard Alonso to set the ball rolling after increasing signs that the double world champion had lost patience after five fruitless years at Maranello.
The 33-year-old has been linked strongly to a return to McLaren, the team he left under a cloud after just one difficult season in 2007 and who will have Honda as their new engine partner next year.
Professing himself surprised at Vettel’s decision, Alonso kept his cards close to his chest while indicating he was still the market maker with others dancing to his tune.
“The news as far as I know is that Sebastian is leaving Red Bull,” he told reporters at Suzuka. “The other thing is just a guess of everybody.
“I have still not decided completely. I have a plan in my head. I have my mind set for the last two or three months,” continued Alonso. “I have the privileged position because more or less I can choose wherever I want to go at the moment that I want to go.
“So being the decision maker probably some of the movements that we have seen now is an implication of what I am deciding,” said the Spaniard. “Let’s wait a little bit and when I clear completely my last doubts I will tell you where I go.” REUTERS
