Alonso will be better communicator than Kimi – di Montezemolo

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo today said that his new signing Fernando Alonso will be a better communicator than outgoing driver Kimi Raikkonen.

Raikkonen helped the Prancing Horse to two constructors’ titles and took his 2007 drivers’ title with them. But di Montezemolo said that the Finn’s famed recalcitrance had not helped the team to understand the problems with the car.

“It’s a matter of personality, because Kimi is the type of person that shows little emotion, he keeps everything inside,” di Montezemolo was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

“These things don’t help with the exchange of information inside the team. In any case I’m thankful to Raikkonen – he brought us a championship that we will not forget,” said the Ferrari man.

di Montezemolo went on to say that he had long admired Alonso and that he believed the Asturian would rapidly become a great Ferrari name.

“We needed a team player, and I think Alonso is that, considering also all the good things our team boss, [Stefano] Domenicali, has told me about him. But it’s also up to us not to make mistakes.

“Fernando is a great driver and a charismatic man, I expect a lot from him.”

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