Fernando Alonso has tipped key technical rule changes for 2011 to contribute to more “spectacular” racing.

The Ferrari driver admitted that the return of energy-recovery KERS boost buttons next year, and the debut of moveable rear wings usable only by drivers who are closely chasing a rival, are “crucial” to the sport’s next season.

“Each year there are rule changes to encourage overtaking, but I think that the ones in 2011 are really significant,” he is quoted by the Spanish media at an event involving Santander boss Emilio Botin.

“I think that, finally, it will be much easier to overtake and hopefully the racing will be spectacular,” Spaniard Alonso added.

Asked what his personal goal for 2011 is, the 29-year-old admitted: “When you are at Ferrari, the world championship as a target is obligatory.

“We will have a better car than this year and the goal remains the same as always,” added Alonso.

“We know how difficult is our task because of the competitiveness of Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes, so we need to work hard to find something they do not have.”

Finally, Alonso was asked by a young questioner if he will be drinking Red Bull over the winter period to build his energy for 2011.

“No … no,” he smiled.

A cheeky Italian journalist risked the ire of Luca di Montezemolo on Tuesday during the Ferrari president’s annual Christmas dinner for the country’s media.

Asked what Christmas present he is planning for Fernando Alonso, the 63-year-old replied: “What the heck do you give him?

“He earns enough,” laughed Montezemolo, who gave each of the reporters a model of this year’s F10. “And I already give him a F1 car!” he quipped.

Amused that Montezemolo seemed not to be planning a gift at all, the questioner cheekily hit back: “I’m not asking you what you’re going to give Chris Dyer…”

Chief engineer and Australian Dyer is thought at risk of losing his job after bungling the race strategy that cost Alonso the drivers’ title last month in Abu Dhabi.

Montezemolo repeated again that Ferrari is not planning a major staff upheaval before the 2011 season, but that “some adjustments” are likely to take place.

He also played down rumours he is preparing to enter Italian politics, or that Ferrari to be floated on the stock exchange.

Montezemolo will similarly meet with international journalists on Thursday.

Jun.10 (GMM)  Mark Webber on Thursday insisted he can still work at Red Bull alongside Dr Helmut Marko.

Two weeks ago, it was the team’s Austrian consultant Marko who began blaming Australian Webber for the crash with his teammate Sebastian Vettel in Turkey.

It raised the suspicion that the team’s powerful German-speaking faction favours youngster Vettel over Webber, but all parties sat down for a clear-the-air meeting at Milton-Keynes last week.

“I had a good chat with Helmut at the factory.  He’s fine,” Webber, 33, told reporters at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

He was asked what he thought about Marko immediately blaming him for the crash, while many pundits within the paddock believe it was Vettel’s fault.

“Helmut wasn’t fully up to speed with all the facts at the time.  He went pretty quick with his comments, which he’s learned from and will move on,” said Webber.

Also revealing that he had a “very positive” phone conversation with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz since the incident, Webber said he understands Marko’s tilt towards 22-year-old Vettel’s side of the garage.

“He brought Seb along, he speaks the language, so you can expect a bit of emotional support that way.  But I’m fine with that.

“Helmut has been … there are a lot of things that have happened with this team through his support, and I’ve been off the back of that as well,” added Webber.

Vettel’s media scrum on Thursday was an uncomfortable one for the 22-year-old, with some reporters pushing the German hard to issue an apology.

When it became clear that no apology would be forthcoming, one questioner asked him if, like his countryman Michael Schumacher, he finds it difficult to admit his mistakes.

“The way that I grew up and the way that I am, honesty is something that is very important to me.  You can ask anybody in the garage, if I make a mistake in qualifying then I am the first to raise my hand and blame myself.

“I am open for self-criticism and I try to improve myself.  I’m not jumping out of the car and saying this is a shit car if I couldn’t do better,” said Vettel.

“If from my side something isn’t right I raise my hand and stand up.  I have no problem with that and it’s one important thing in life otherwise it will always come back to you,” he added.