Alonso says Ferrari row reports are not true

Martin Brundle & Fernando Alonso on the podium in India (2012)

Fernando Alonso has dismissed as "not true" reports in the Italian press of a post-qualifying row with Ferrari team members in India last weekend.

La Stampa newspaper claimed the Spaniard took exception to media comments by Ferrari's British technical director Pat Fry, and threatened to publish a 'tweet' about a lack of aerodynamic progress during his fading 2012 title battle.

The story spilled into the international media early this week, with some publications claiming the revelation of an argument is fair game.

Some even linked the tale to Lewis Hamilton's switch to Mercedes, and the rumours about Sebastian Vettel moving to Ferrari in 2014, suggesting Alonso's future could be McLaren.

"The problem is when it is not true," Alonso hit back on Twitter.

"It's not fair to your readers," he added in Spanish.

"Forza Ferrari," Alonso ended the exchange, amid reports in the Spanish sports daily Marca that Ferrari will do yet another straightline aerodynamic test this week before introducing more updates for the F2012 in Abu Dhabi.

"I do not remember when (the test is taking place)," Fry is quoted as saying.

"We have small improvements coming to Abu Dhabi, and more in America," he added.

"It's not over yet and we need to keep pushing as much as we can."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, meanwhile, played down claims Alonso has been overstepping the mark with some of his apparent criticism of Ferrari's developmental progress in 2012.

"He is the best driver in the world," said the Italian, "of that there can be no doubt.

"If he says certain things, it is only to keep everyone under pressure," added Montezemolo.

Pressure, of course, is not in short supply, with Montezemolo insisting Ferrari must up its game in qualifying.

"If we always start from the third or fourth row," he is quoted by La Stampa, "then everything else becomes difficult, if not impossible."

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