Ferrari says Valencia seat for Alonso 'impossible'

It is unlikely that Fernando Alonso will substitute for the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari in the forthcoming European grand prix.

With Massa in hospital and Alonso's Renault team banned from competing at Valencia, it has been suggested that the scenario is ideal, even if only for a single race.

But with Renault and Ferrari sponsorship contracts set to clash, it is actually an unlikely scenario in a temporary form, and it must be said that the thought of Flavio Briatore doing a big favour for the Maranello team is even more difficult to imagine.

It is reported that Italy's best-connected F1 journalists also don't believe the hype.

When a reporter for the Spanish sports newspaper Marca was musing the scenario in the Hungaroring media centre, La Gazzetta dello Sport's Andrea Cremonesi leaned over and said: "We have asked (Ferrari media boss Luca) Colajanni and he told us it is impossible."

Renault spokeswoman Patrizia Spinelli, meanwhile, told Italy's Tuttosport that the Alonso rumour is "only speculation without foundation".

Ferrari also would not comment on the rumours.