Sep.9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has put on ice his plans for a professional cycling team.
Last year, the Ferrari driver said he wanted to establish a Tour de France team featuring his friend and prominent rider Alberto Contador.
But Contador has now signed a two-year deal with Team Saxo Bank.
“Last year I was very close to creating a team with Contador,” Alonso revealed in an interview with Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Contador has now signed for another team. For the future, who knows — never say never.”
Meanwhile, the Spaniard – although still mathematically in the chase for the 2010 title – threw his support behind his friend Mark Webber.
“At the beginning of the year everyone was talking about Vettel,” said Alonso, “and I only want to say that Webber is at the same level.”
And he admitted that he has made some mistakes in 2010.
“Yes, but even last year I made 2 or 3 mistakes, it’s just that everything you do at Ferrari is worth double,” said Alonso.
He also dismissively compared the ongoing furore surrounding the Hockenheim team orders saga with Michael Schumacher’s dangerous driving against Rubens Barrichello in Hungary.
“Important incidents are always forgotten, while small cases become as big as mountains,” insisted Alonso.
