He perhaps wasn't the easiest driver to deal with at the Scuderia, but Fernando Alonso's win at Daytona last weekend warranted a big accolade from former Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo.
Alonso put his outstanding talent to good use in Florida with Wayne Taylor Racing, hammering home his superiority over his rivals with a series of scintillating stints - in the night and in the rain - that helped deliver a Rolex 24 win to the US outfit.
Montezemolo was in Rome on Monday, a guest of honour at the presentation of a book dedicated to Ferrari driver Ignazio Giunti, who was killed in 1971, and lavished praise on Alonso for his 24-hour achievement.
"I am very happy, Fernando is a great driver," said the former Ferrari boss.
"He often had difficulties in being a team player, but together with Schumacher and Lauda he was the strongest of all time at Ferrari.
"I have fond memories of him in Maranello, he didn't have an easy character but he always gave everything.
"I only regret that in 2010 and 2012 he did not manage to win the Formula 1 world championship, even though he fought until the end ".
Alonso won 11 of his 32 Grands Prix with the Scuderia over the course of his four-year stint with the House of Maranello, achieving with the Scuderia his last career win in F1, which he enjoyed on home ground in Barcelona in 2013.
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