Di Montezemolo: Alonso is leaving Ferrari

The double World Champion’s future has been a hot topic for several months and reached fever pitch when Red Bull revealed that Sebastian Vettel would be walking away from the reigning Champs at the end of this season.

Widely believed to be heading to Ferrari, this cast doubt over Alonso’s position within the team.

Linked to a return to McLaren, with whom he spent a tension-fraught season in 2007, the Spaniard has to date refused to shed any light on his future other than to say he has a “plan.”

Di Montezemolo, who himself has left Ferrari, has jumped the gun as he has confirmed Alonso’s departure.

He said on Italian television channel RAI: “Alonso is leaving for two reasons: One, he wants another environment. Two, because he is an age when he cannot wait to win again.”

He added: “He was disappointed that he has not won over these last years and wanted new stimulus.”

Ferrari have not won the Drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen’s success in 2007 while Alonso, who joined the Italian outfit in 2010, has finished runner-up three times.