Ecclestone to Ferrari: 'Sign Fernando Alonso!'

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Bernie Ecclestone has advised Ferrari to sign-up Fernando Alonso should it have a vacancy to fill for 2018.

With each passing race, Alonso's prospects of remaining at McLarelen next season appear to fade, but reasonable opportunities for the Spaniard may prove few and far between.

Asked last weekend in Baku who Ferrari should sign if the team has a vacancy for 2018, former F1 supremo Ecclestone answered: "Alonso, of course.

"He is one of the best F1 drivers of all time," he told the Spanish newspaper ABC.

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Flavio Briatore, who handles Alonso's affairs along with business manager Luis Garcia Abad, would not rule out a return of Alonso to the House of Maranello.

"He always got along with everyone and only had problems with Mattiacci," Briatore, referring to the now-departed former Ferrari boss, told Italian radio Rai.

"In this life you cannot exclude anything. Fernando is a bit like Senna, who had no problem with any team -- he only needs a car capable of winning."

"In Formula 1 there are only two teams racing to win -- Ferrari and Mercedes.

"McLaren can only be a top team if they change engines," he added.

"We'll see. Red Bull and Force India can have good races, as we saw in Baku."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.