Alonso hopes new boss Marchionne will boost Ferrari F1 team

Di Montezemolo stepped down as Ferrari president after the Italian Grand Prixm, allowing Marchionne, CEO of Ferrari's parent company Fiat, to take over.

It is thought that Ferrari's recent lack of F1 success was critical in the decision to end di Montezemolo's 23-year stint at the head of the team.

Alonso met with Marchionne at Ferrari's Maranello base before flying out to Singapore for this weekend's coming race.

The Spaniard wished di Montezemolo well, and said he hoped Marchionne, who has already identified Ferrari's engine as its single biggest weakness, would be able to lift a team that hasn't won a world championship since 2008.

"There has been some days for the team with a lot of changes over the year: the team principal changed in April, the head of engine leaving in the summer, now the president also step away after being so successful in Formula 1 with so many championships for Ferrari," Alonso said.

"He [di Montezemolo] was our leader for many years. Definitely it was a great time for Ferrari, I wish him good for that and for new projects.

"With new president I wish him good luck for hopefully a very successful future.

"I talk with Sergio, with which I already have a very good relationship for many years now.

"He comes to Monza race normally, he comes to Austin, to Canada sometimes, and always he shows full support and full commitment to us.

"I saw him in Maranello and he repeated the same thing. He's ready for the challenge.

"Like all the big companies, when they change something they change for better, or they hope for better.

"Let's hope so."