Thursday 4 June at 16:30 : Jun.4 (GMM) Ferrari needs a more consistent and technical driver, in the form of Fernando Alonso, according to Gian Carlo Minardi

Minardi, who recommended the then rookie Spaniard to Paul Stoddart as the Australian took over his Faenza based team at the end of 2000, believes the former double world champion would do better not only than the Scuderia's Kimi Raikkonen, but also 2008 runner-up Felipe Massa

"Ferrari needs a driver like Alonso to rise again, although I must admit that Raikkonen had a good weekend in Monaco," Minardi, 61, said

"A formula one driver however should be more consistent in his results. At this time Ferrari also needs to be able to blindly trust a driver in the development of its single seater

"From the outside, Felipe and Kimi do not give me that impression," Minardi added

Maranello based Ferrari is currently a distant fourth in the constructors' championship, but speculation has normally singled out Finn Raikkonen as the most likely to make way for an Alonso arrival, perhaps as soon as 2010

"I have always said that Massa is an excellent driver and team player who is racing beyond his abilities, but perhaps the team needs a Schumacher or an Alonso; someone who can influence the decisions, a technical driver," said Minardi