Iran nuclear talks: Diplomats push for Vienna deal


President Obama told ABC that a deal could mark the start of a "long process" to change Iran's relationship with the rest of the world
Iran says it is not seeking nuclear weapons, but wants atomic energy.
It says its nuclear programme is solely designed to provide peaceful, civilian projects.
Representatives of the so-called P5+1 group - five permanent UN Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia, the US plus Germany - are taking part in the negotiations with Iran.
There have been few solid indications of progress so far, but Iranian sources told BBC Persian's Kasra Naji on Sunday that a "political agreement" could be reached before the deadline.
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Analysis: Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East Editor, Vienna
The price of failure is potentially serious. These talks are the culmination of a lot of work since a temporary agreement in Geneva a year ago. That deal stopped what appeared to be an inexorable slide to war. Israel was threatening to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.
Success would do much to lift Iran's isolation - which would change the strategic balance in the Middle East. That intrigues some Western diplomats. It horrifies Saudi Arabia and Israel.
A year ago all sides in the talks saw an opportunity to deal with an issue that could potentially cause another catastrophic war. That will make them very reluctant to leave Vienna empty-handed - even if that means they will have to do more work on the details next year.
Time is limited though. Hardliners in Tehran and Washington DC will try to sabotage any agreement. Both see no reason to dilute their mutual suspicion.
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With time running out, diplomats have not managed to come close to a broad and comprehensive agreement. Instead they are agreeing on a document which at best might mention parameters of a future agreement, he says.
Earlier, an Iranian news agency quoted an unnamed member of the Iranian delegation as saying a full deal was "impossible" by Monday.
Significant differences reportedly remain over the scope of Iran's uranium enrichment programme and the timing of sanctions relief.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) shake hands as they pose for a photograph prior to a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the closed-door nuclear talks with Iran, in Vienna, 23 November 2014Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry are among those at the talks
On Sunday evening, a senior US state department official told reporters that the possibility of an extension to the negotiations was being discussed.
"Our focus remains on taking steps forward toward an agreement, but it is only natural that just over 24 hours from the deadline we are discussing a range of options," the official said.
Saudi concerns
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif have held several rounds of talks in recent days in an attempt to break the deadlock.
Talks are expected to continue late on Sunday and into Monday, with Mr Kerry joining European allies for a working dinner following a meeting with the Saudi foreign minister.
Saudi Arabia is not a party of the P5+1 talks, but is concerned about Iran's influence in the region.
Iranian sources told the BBC that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was also due to arrive in Vienna on Sunday.
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Potential deal-breakers
Men making uranium hexafluoride gas at the Isfahan uranium conversion facility (March 2005)
Uranium enrichment: Western states want to reduce Iran's capacity in order to prevent it acquiring weapons-grade material but Tehran is set on expanding it nearly 20-fold in the coming years
Sanctions reduction: Iran wants sanctions lifted immediately but Western states want to stagger their removal to ensure Tehran abides by its commitments
Bomb technology: Iran has failed to explain explosives tests and other activity that could be linked to a nuclear weapons programme and has denied international nuclear inspectors access to its Parchin military site
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Rare protest
As the final rounds of talks got under way, the New York Times reportedthat a key US concern was to prevent Iran from producing a bomb at undetected nuclear locations - referred to as a "sneakout".
Meanwhile, in Tehran, officials approved a rare protest by hardliners who criticised government negotiators.
The demonstrators accused President Hassan Rouhani of giving in to Western pressure.
Iranian students hold placards to show their support for Iran's nuclear programme in a gathering in front of the headquarters of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization in Tehran, Iran, 23 November 2014Students in Tehran held a protest in support for Iran's nuclear programme
The P5+1 group and Iran agreed an interim deal, known as the Geneva Accord, last year.
Under the agreement, Iran curbed some of its uranium enrichment in return for sanctions relief.
However, the two sides failed to reach a lasting deal by July, as initially agreed, and extended the deadline until 24 November.
Iran has been resisting efforts to scale back its nuclear programme for nearly a decade.
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Nuclear talks timeline
  • January 2012: IAEA confirms Iran is enriching uranium to levels of up to 20%, an important step towards making it weapons-grade
  • June 2013: Reformist-backed cleric Hassan Rouhani wins presidential election, raising hopes for deadlocked nuclear talks
  • November 2013: Iran and world powers reach interim deal to curb programme; deadline for final agreement set for July 2014
  • January 2014: Some Western sanctions eased as Iran uranium enrichment remains at 5%
  • July 2014: Deadline extended until November 2014
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Bomber 'kills 45' at Afghanistan volleyball match


US marines in Kandahar, October 2014US and other international troops have been handing over to their Afghan counterparts
About 60 people were also wounded in the bombing in Yahyakhail district.
It came after Afghan MPs approved security deals allowing Nato and US soldiers to remain after the withdrawal of most foreign troops next month.
The total number of soldiers in the new Nato force will be about 12,000. Their mission has been defined as training, advising and assisting the Afghan security forces.
Richard Galpin in Kabul: "It is one of the worst incidents so far this year"
There will also be a separate US-led force dealing with the remnants of al-Qaeda.
It emerged on Saturday, however, that President Barack Obama has approved guidelines to allow US troops to fight the Taliban and provide air support for Afghan missions.
'Heinous attack'
Sunday's bombing occurred when a crowd of people were preparing to watch the final of a regional volleyball tournament.
Local reports say a suicide bomber walked into the large gathering before detonating the explosives.
A spokesman for the provincial governor told the BBC that the crowd was made up mostly of young people. He said all of the casualties were civilians.
The dead and injured have been taken to a local hospital, he added, but said the governor has requested that helicopters be sent from Kabul to take the most seriously injured for treatment in the capital.
The BBC's Richard Galpin, who is in Kabul, says a doctor at the local hospital was crying as he spoke of treating many wounded children.
He said several people had died on the journey to the hospital.
President Ashraf Ghani, who came to power in September, described the incident as a "heinous attack", according to his spokesman.
The Taliban have stepped up attacks on both Western and Afghan targets across the country this year.
The agreements with Nato and the US still need to be ratified by the Afghan upper house.
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Tunisia holds first post-revolution presidential poll

Activists in Monastir, Tunisia. Photo: 2 November 2014

Tunisians hope the election will strengthen post-revolutionary changes in the country
Tunisians are voting in the country's first presidential election since the 2011 "Arab Spring" that triggered uprisings across the region.
More than 25 candidates are in the race, but incumbent Moncef Marzouki and anti-Islamist leader Beji Caid Essebsi are widely seen as the favourites.
The poll forms part of a political transition after the revolution that ousted Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
A parliamentary vote was held in October.
Tunisia - seen as the birthplace of the Arab Spring - is considered to have had the most successful outcome, with relatively low levels of violence.
'Security threats'
Sunday's election will deliver the country's first directly elected leader since the removal of Mr Ben Ali. Most polling stations were opening at 08:00 (07:00 GMT) and due to close 10 hours later.
Activists in Monastir, Tunisia. Photo: 2 November 2014Tunisians hope the election will strengthen post-revolutionary changes in the country
Police officers stand guard at a checkpoint in Beja, Tunisia. Photo: 22 November 2014Security has been stepped up across the country ahead of the election
If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a run-off round will be held on 31 December.
"We were the first to enter this cycle of change which they have called the Arab Spring," Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa was quoted as saying on the eve of the poll.
"We will be the first [to make the transition] but others will follow," he added.
Mr Essebsi, from the Nidaa Tounes (Tunisia's Call) party, is the favourite to win after his party came first in the parliamentary election.
But critics say Mr Essebsi, an 87-year-old who served in the governments of post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba as well as Mr Ben Ali, represents the past.
Among the other candidates are Mr Marzouki, parliamentary Speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Republican Party leader Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, female magistrate Kalthoum Kannou and businessman Slim Riahi.
The Islamist party Ennahda, which led Tunisia's last government but was beaten by Nidaa Tounes in October's parliamentary election, did not field a candidate.
A statement from Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi spoke of wanting "to avoid deepening polarisation or dividing the country". Ennahda's rise had led to concerns among more secular-minded Tunisians that Islamists would dominate politics.
Tunisia is still facing the spectre of civil unrest and terrorism, with Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou warning of "serious security threats" near the Algerian border where al-Qaeda militants are said to be hiding.

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Australia v South Africa: Steve Smith century secures series win

Australia all-rounder Steve Smith scores a century against South Africa at the MCG


Fourth one-day international, Melbourne:
Australia 268-7 (49 overs) beat South Africa 267-8 (50 overs) by three wickets
Steve Smith scored 104 off 112 balls as Australia beat South Africa by three wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match one-day series.
Smith shared a sixth-wicket stand of 121 with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade as the hosts chased 268 in Melbourne.
Australia had slumped to 98-5 before Wade and Smith guided them to 219-6, and James Faulkner's unbeaten 34 helped secure victory with an over to spare.
Captain AB de Villiers top scored with 91 in South Africa's total of 267-8.
The fifth and final one-day international - which is the last match of South Africa's tour - takes place at Sydney on Sunday.
Australia then begin a four-Test series against India on 4 December - with skipper Michael Clarke battling to be fit for the first Test in Brisbane because of a hamstring injury which has kept him out since the first one-dayer against the Proteas

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Sri Lanka v England: Moeen Ali stars with 56 in warm-up win

Moeen Ali


Warm-up match, Colombo (SSC):
England 145-2 (25 overs) beat Sri Lanka A 198-6 (43 overs) by 56 runs (D/L method)
Moeen Ali cracked a 21-ball fifty and took three wickets as England completed a resounding victory over Sri Lanka A.
Moeen, preferred to Alex Hales as Alastair Cook's opening partner,hit six fours from his first six legitimate balls on his way to 56 in Colombo.
England limited the hosts to 198-6 off 43 overs after rain delayed the start.
The tourists cruised to 145-2 in 25 overs, with Cook making 54, and won by 56 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method when bad light ended play,
Left-hander Moeen's outstanding display justified his selection ahead of Hales as England get ready to begin their preparations for the World Cup in February and March with seven one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.
The Worcestershire all-rounder's figures of 3-29 from nine overs of off-spin, allied to a miserly 0-20 from eight by seamer Chris Woakes, ensured England were facing a modest target.
And his blistering assault on left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando - whose opening over cost 25 as it contained a wide as well as Moeen's six boundaries - kick-started their run chase and enabled Cook to accumulate more steadily at the other end.
Moeen completed his 50 at the Sinhalese Sports Club with a huge six off spinner Ramith Rambukwella before Cook reached the mark off 58 balls.
After both had been dismissed, Ian Bell made 16 off 35 balls and Joe Root 15 off 16 before the umpires took the players off.
"It was a very good day for the team and I think in all three disciplines, we did pretty well," Moeen told BBC Sport.
Opening the batting in place of Nottinghamshire's Hales, the 27-year-old denied he was under pressure to perform.
"I just go out and enjoy my cricket," he added.
"Today came off brilliantly, other days it won't.
"I know a lot of people haven't seen me opening the batting, but when I do, that's how I play. Obviously some days I won't be as explosive."
England remain in Colombo for their next two games, facing Sri Lanka A again on Sunday, this time at the P Sara Oval, before the first one-day international at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

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Cricket World Cup: England happy as underdogs - Steven Finn

Steven Finn


England in Sri Lanka 2014
Dates: 21 November-16 December
Coverage: Live commentary of all seven one-day internationals on Test Match Special, plus live texts on the BBC Sport website
Paceman Steven Finn believes England can benefit from entering next year's World Cup as underdogs.
England lost both home one-day series in the summer, against Sri Lanka and India, and have won only seven of their 18 one-day internationals this year.
They are now touring Sri Lanka in the build-up to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, starting in February.
Finn, 25, told BBC Sport: "If we stick together, I think we're capable of upsetting people at the World Cup."
England beat Sri Lanka A by 56 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in their opening match of the winter on Friday.
They face the same opposition on Sunday prior to a seven-match one-day international series against the full Sri Lanka side.
England are not among the favourites for the World Cup, but Middlesex right-armer Finn believes their status could benefit them.
"It suits us to go over there as underdogs and if we can slip under the radar having had a good month of preparation under our belt here in Sri Lanka," he said.
"In the last few games of the season we put in some good performances against India, who are arguably the best one-day team in the world.
"If we can get some belief and team ethics in place to go forward into the World Cup that should stand us in good stead."

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Rafael Nadal back in the new year and targeting Australian Open

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal says it is his goal to be fully fit for the Australian Open and competitive enough to challenge for a 15th Grand Slam title.

Nadal missed the ATP World Tour Finals in London after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix.
The 28-year-old has also battled knee, wrist and back problems, with doctors confirming his rehabilitation included stem cell treatment.
"I have a month before Australia to get to my best level," said Nadal.
"I hope to be healthy enough to work as much as I need and want, and if that happens I really feel confident I can come back strong."
Nadal, who won the the French Open title in June for the ninth time in 10 years, will begin his comeback in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi on 1 January.
He then plans to play in Doha - defending the title he won last year - before the start of the Australian Open on 19 January.

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Davis Cup final: Roger Federer upbeat despite opening-day loss

Gael Monfils (left) and Roger Federer

Switzerland's Roger Federer was encouraged by his fitness levels in Friday's one-sided Davis Cup final defeat by Frenchman Gael Monfils.

Federer was beaten 6-1 6-4 6-3 as the opening day finished all-square in front of a Davis Cup record 27,432 fans at the indoor clay court in Lille.
The 33-year-old, who pulled out of Sunday's ATP World Tour final,will now partner Stan Wawrinka in the doubles.
"I started to feel better as the match went on," said Federer.
"That's very encouraging, I must say. I would think that I'm going to get better as the weekend goes on."
Wawrinka beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the opening singles rubber to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead, but Monfils's win over Federer drew the tie level at 1-1.
Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer had initially been named as Switzerland's doubles team, but Federer and Wawrinka will now face Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau.

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

"With the support of a world-record crowd to feed off, and sensing an opportunity against an opponent physically below his best, Gael Monfils was magnificent from the start.
"Stan Wawrinka was equally impressive for Switzerland in the opening match of the day, despite the anxiety he felt at the extra responsibility on his shoulders."
The best-of-five contest concludes with the reverse singles on Sunday.
France have not won the Davis Cup since 2001, while Switzerland have never won it.
The Swiss made the perfect start with Wawrinka winning 25 points at the net and sealing victory with a volley on his first match point.
The French hit back though, with Monfils winning the first point of his match against Federer with an ace, one of nine he sent down in a first set that raced by in just 31 minutes.

As it stands: France 1-1 Switzerland

21 Nov: Stan Wawrinka (Swi) beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-2
21 Nov: Gael Monfils (Fra) beat Roger Federer (Swi) 6-1 6-4 6-3
22 Nov: Julien Benneteau & Richard Gasquet (Fra) v Roger Federer & Stan Wawrinka (Swi)
23 Nov: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) v Roger Federer (Swi)
23 Nov: Gael Monfils (Fra) v Stan Wawrinka (Swi)
A break in the fifth game of the third set saw Monfils, who had never previously beaten Federer on clay, take control and he sealed victory with a backhand drive down the line at match point.
"That definitely is one of the top three matches in my life," Monfils said on the Davis Cup website.
"I was very nervous in the beginning. When Jo lost, it's an extra pressure because we need to get back on the road to win the title."
France have won 10 of their previous 12 Davis Cup ties against Switzerland and have won the title on 10 occasions.
Davis Cup final in Lille
A record crowd in Lille was treated to a home victory on Friday

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Davis Cup final: Federer and Wawrinka give Swiss advantage

Roger Federer
Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka beat French doubles duo Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet to give Switzerland a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup final.
Federer showed no signs of his recent back problem as the Swiss won 6-3 7-5 6-4 on the indoor clay court in Lille.
The 33-year-old, who lost his singles match to Gael Monfils on Friday, said: "Clearly it's a big relief. The medical staff, it's a big thanks to them."
There are two singles matches to play on Sunday, which will decide the final.
Federer is likely to take on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Wawrinka face Monfils as the Swiss seek to capture the first Davis Cup title in their history.

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

"Federer believes that a lack of clay court preparation, rather than an ailing back, undermined his chances on the opening day - and he certainly moved with great agility in the doubles.
"Wawrinka was again outstanding and they outclassed a French pair which had never played together in the Davis Cup before.
"Gael Monfils will be a formidable competitor for France on the final day, but his match with Wawrinka will be academic unless Jo-Wilfried Tsonga casts off his inhibitions of Friday and beats Federer in Sunday's opening match."
The respective world number one and four were in charge of Saturday's doubles match from the start, in front of a 27,000 crowd at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Wawrinka, 29, said: ""I am really happy with the way we were playing today. We were really aggressive, we knew what we had to do. I think we did a good job."
The Swiss duo secured the first break of the match on the Benneteau serve in the sixth game and that proved enough to take the opening set.
Their French opponents came out fighting in the second set but failed to convert any of five break points that came their way.
With the set seemingly destined for or a tie-break, Gasquet, who never managed to match his partner's impact on the match, failed to hold serve.
AP
France's Richard Gasquet struggled to find his best form alongside partner Julien Benneteau.
A Federer backhand winner secured the break to make it 6-5 and Wawrinka served out for a two sets to love lead.
The French pair attempted to rally in the final set but with the otherwise impressive Benneteau struggling on serve, Wawrinka converted a third break point opportunity in the fifth game of the set.
The Swiss never looked back, with Federer, who had been moving through the gears since midway through the second set, serving to love for the match.
"The coaching staff did a wonderful job of getting us ready today," he said. "Thanks for getting me back onto the court."
Swiss duo Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer were originally slated to play the match, but Federer and Wawrinka were drafted in with so much at stake.

As it stands: France 1-2 Switzerland

21 Nov: Stan Wawrinka (Swi) beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-2
21 Nov: Gael Monfils (Fra) beat Roger Federer (Swi) 6-1 6-4 6-3
22 Nov: Julien Benneteau & Richard Gasquet (Fra) v Roger Federer & Stan Wawrinka (Swi) 6-3 7-5 6-4
23 Nov: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) v Roger Federer (Swi)
23 Nov: Gael Monfils (Fra) v Stan Wawrinka (Swi)
Switzerland now need to win just one of Sunday's reverse singles matches to claim the title, but Wawrinka is expecting a hard day.
"It's a tough, long weekend," he said.
"We are going to get ready in the best possible way for tomorrow. We are going to rest now and be ready - Roger and me - to play."
In Friday's opening singles, Wawrinka defeated Tsonga in four sets and Monfils brushed aside Federer, who was making his return after pulling out of Sunday's ATP World Tour final with a back problem, in three.

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Sebastian Vettel: German joins Ferrari as Fernando Alonso exits

Vettel and Alonso at Thursday's news conference in Abu Dhabi

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has signed a three-year deal with Ferrari following Fernando Alonso's exit from the Italian team.

The German's switch from Red Bull for next season was announced minutes after Alonso's departure was confirmed.
"When I was a kid Michael Schumacher in the red car was my greatest idol. It's an incredible honour to get the chance to drive a Ferrari," said Vettel, 27.
Two-time world champion Alonso, 33, will join McLaren.
The Spaniard still had two more years to run on his contract with Ferrari but he and the Italian team have agreed to part company.
"It was a difficult decision to take, but a carefully considered one from start to finish," said Alonso. "My love for Ferrari was a prime consideration."

Ferrari team boss on Sebastian Vettel

"He brings with him that sense of team spirit which will prove invaluable when, together with Kimi, they tackle the challenges awaiting us, as we aim to be front runners again as soon as possible."
Alonso said he had begun to think about leaving Ferrari as long ago as 2013.
"It was not a special moment of the year that I opened my eyes," he said. "Last year I had some doubts about 2014.
"I knew that it was a big change of regulations so I thought best thing to check how the 2014 new turbo era was going for Ferrari.
"I had a very close relationship with president [Luca] di Montezemolo. We talked every week and we more or less agreed that if this year we were not competitive again we could think of different options.
"In the summer break it was time to sit with the president and say, 'OK, I would like to go'."
McLaren will not announce their two drivers until at least 1 December as they decide whether to retain Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen alongside Alonso.
The current season has one more race to run, with Britain's Lewis Hamilton battling Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg of Germany for the title at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Vettel will partner former world champion Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari.
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Fernando Alonso
Alonso's highs & lows at Ferrari
"Scuderia Ferrari has decided to put its faith in the youngest multiple champion in the history of Formula 1," said team boss Marco Mattiacci.
Ferrari last won the world drivers' title in 2007, when Raikkonen finished top in his first stint with the Italian team.
"Sebastian Vettel is a unique combination of youthfulness and experience," added Mattiaci.
"He brings with him that sense of team spirit which will prove invaluable when, together with Kimi, they tackle the challenges awaiting us, as we aim to be front runners again as soon as possible."
Alonso, world champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006, joined Ferrari in 2010 and went on to win 11 times for the Scuderia.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, these five years produced some of the best moments of my career and I also feel that, in leaving the team, it is family rather than friends I am leaving behind," said Alonso, who narrowly missed out on the world title to Vettel in both 2010 and 2012.
"In the Scuderia Ferrari roll of honour of great drivers, Fernando Alonso will always occupy a special place," said Mattiacci.

BBC's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson on Vettel

"If he can turn Ferrari into winners again - as his childhood hero and friend Michael Schumacher did two decades ago - he could attain legendary status."
"We offer him our heartfelt thanks for what has been an extraordinary adventure with the Scuderia, when in the past five years, he twice came so close to winning the world championship."
BBC Sport's chief F1 writer Andrew Benson says although Alonso may have failed to win a title at Ferrari, it is hard to judge his stay in Maranello as a failure.
"Alonso's reputation as arguably the most complete F1 driver of all has only been enhanced by his battles against the odds in inferior cars over the last five years," said Benson.
"Despite being considerably more successful in statistical terms, Vettel is not held in as high regard within the sport.
"But if he can turn Ferrari into winners again - as his childhood hero and friend Michael Schumacher did two decades ago - he could attain legendary status."

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