Di Montezemolo warns Alonso over conduct

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has issued a warning to Fernando Alonso over his future conduct on the back of the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest.

The Spaniard endured a difficult weekend at the Hungaroring as he could only manage fifth place, a result that means he has now slipped back to third in the championship standings.

News also emerged suggesting that Alonso could be an option for Red Bull, with his manager Luis Garcia Abad having been seen in discussions with Red Bull boss Christian Horner in the paddock.

Alonso had been critical of his current team on the back of the Hungarian race and, while not made clear which comments were being referred to, Ferrari revealed that Alonso had been spoken to.

"There is a need to close ranks, without giving in to rash outbursts that, while understandable in the immediate aftermath of a bad result, are no use to anyone," a missive on Ferrari's official website read. That was a reference to the latest comments from Fernando Alonso, which did not go down well with Montezemolo, nor with anyone in the team.

"So, when Montezemolo called the Spaniard this morning to wish him a happy birthday, he also tweaked his ear, reminding him that, 'all the great champions who have driven for Ferrari have always been asked to put the interests of the team above their own. This is the moment to stay calm, avoid polemics and show humility and determination in making one's own contribution, standing alongside the team and its people both at the track and outside it'.

"This is definitely not the time to start arguing over who was responsible for this or that decision, partly because everything is still possible with nine Grands Prix to go. The points are available and so is the potential to score enough of them to win."

Ferrari has moved to strengthen its technical team, having confirmed the signing of former Lotus man James Allison in the role of chassis technical director.