Feb.4 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has moved to play down the 'Jerez controversy' by insisting Fernando Alonso is not in charge at Ferrari.

First, some suggested that Alonso - Ferrari's undisputed number 1 - had hand-picked Spanish countryman and former McLaren colleague Pedro de la Rosa as his test driver for 2013.

Then, it emerged that de la Rosa would be standing in for Alonso as this week's official test action begins at Jerez.

"Decisions are taken by Ferrari, not Alonso," insisted di Montezemolo, Ferrari's imperious president.

Alonso, meanwhile, explained that he needs the break.

"After the end of the last championship, a very hard championship, we had many promotional activities," he is quoted by Italy's Autosprint, "and also in the first half of January I was travelling a lot for a number of commitments.

"So as it was not possible to be ready for the first test, we decided to use that time for physical training in a hot country," Alonso added.

He played down the importance of his Jerez absence.

"The first test of a season is to get a general impression, there is no real work aimed at performance, so I don't think I am missing a lot.

"I will still be in contact with the team and will be informed about everything, even from a distance.

"But these are the last weeks in which you can relax, because it will then be flat out until November," said Alonso.

Montezemolo agrees: "Attention will switch to the performance (of the car) for the Barcelona test, which is why Fernando will start then."

According to Spain's AS newspaper, Alonso added: "Anyway, at Ferrari we are very fortunate to have other guys who are like an extension of each of us.

"With Felipe and Pedro it is almost like we are all the same person."

Meanwhile, world champion Sebastian Vettel explained on Sunday that he intends to get up and running in the new Red Bull at Jerez this week.

"Testing is limited," said the German.

"But Jerez is different in that it is a circuit you don't race on so I don't think you miss a lot if you don't test there."

At Jerez, a dry and sunny - albeit windy - week of weather is forecast for the opening test, with Speed Week's Mathias Brunner saying only "a few harmless clouds" are dotting the skies.

And before the circuit kicks into action, McLaren and Toro Rosso have been checking the running systems of their new cars at the Idiada test facility, according to El Mundo Deportivo newspaper.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games