Fernando Alonso is to leave Ferrari at the end of the current season after five campaigns on board, Luca di Montezemolo, who departed his role as company President earlier this week, has confirmed.
Speculation over the 33-year-old’s Formula 1 future has intensified since Sebastian Vettel announced his Red Bull exit and Christian Horner clarified that the four-time World Champion will be racing for Ferrari from 2015.
“Alonso is leaving for two reasons. One, because he wants another environment. Two, because he is an age at which he cannot wait to win again,” explained di Montezemolo, who has been replaced by Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Ferrari parent company Fiat, in a wide-ranging interview on Italian television programme Porta a Porta.
Alonso joined Ferrari in 2010 but has failed to add to the two world titles he claimed at Renault. He has finished runner-up in the championship in three of the past four seasons, while he sits sixth in this year’s standings.
“He was disappointed that he has not won over these years and needs new stimulus,” added di Montezemolo.
Alonso has been tipped to return to McLaren next season, when the squad’s works engine deal with Honda begins. While there is also talk of the Spaniard taking a sabbatical, with a view to securing a seat at Mercedes in 2016, he stated at last weekend’s Russian Grand Prix that there is “probably not a big risk” of him doing so.
