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Montezemolo: Alonso character, bad luck foiled Ferrari title bids

Former Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo pinned Fernando Alonso's inability to win the title with the Scuderia on the Spaniard's character and on unlucky circumstances.

Montezemolo is Formula 1 Tom Clarkson's guest in the latest installment of his 'Beyond the Grid' podcast which was released on Wednesday.

The Italian was at the helm of Ferrari between 2010 and 2014 when Alonso resided at the House of Maranello.

Montezemolo acknowledged his former driver's outstanding qualities but also claimed that he was not on a par with Michael Schumacher or Niki Lauda when it came to galvanizing the team in its difficult moments.

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Reflecting on a period during which the Spaniard finished three times runner-up to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, di Montezemolo believes a blend of reasons thwarted Alonso's championship bids.

"Number one, to be honest, he was unlucky to be in Ferrari when Red Bull was the same, or very close to being, as Ferrari at the beginning of the 2000s," said di Montezemolo.

"The second, I don't like to but I have to say this, he was unlucky. He lost the championship in Brazil in 2012 when Sebastian in the first lap crashed with [Bruno] Senna.

"Or, when the team made a big mistake in 2010, when it was enough to finish fourth, and we lose the championship at the last race.

"Third, his character. The biggest difference between Michael, and also Niki, is he was Alonso – not Alonso [with] Ferrari.

"When he wins, he's happy. When he doesn't win, it's the problem of the team, he's unhappy. He's less close to the team than Michael and Niki.

"Particularly in the difficult moments. To be close to the team in the good moments is easy."

Alonso hit back at the comments from his former boss when the podcast was teased on social media, but ultimately di Montezemolo lavished praise on the Spaniard.

"Alonso in the race is a fantastic driver – was, and is," he added. "He lost the championships not for his mistakes.

"In normal conditions, without the mistakes of the team is 2010, and without Vettel very, very lucky in the last race [in 2012].

"If he won one championship, today we're talking about something different.

"We're talking that Alonso, despite for many years he hasn't got the best car, he was able to win the championship."

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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.