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Post by Anna on Sept 2, 2011 20:14:50 GMT
#5 Fernando AlonsoDriver InfoFull Name: Fernando Alonso Diaz Age: 30 Nationality: Spanish Twitter: n/a Website: www.fernandoalonso.com/enWikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_AlonsoF1 StatisticsRaces: 173 Debut: 2001 Australian GP Points: 1013 Wins: 27 Podiums: 70 Pole Positions: 20 Fastest Laps: 19 Drivers Championships: 2 (2005 & 2006) Current Campionship Pos: 2rd (184 Points) Recent Championship Positions2010: 2nd (252 Points, 5 Wins) 2009: 9th (26 Points, 0 Wins) 2008: 5th (61 Points, 2 Wins) 2007: 3rd (109 Points, 4 Wins) 2006: 1st (134 Points, 7 Wins) 2005: 1st (133 Points, 7 Wins) Team History2001: Minardi 2003-2006: Renault 2007: McLaren 2008-2009: Renault 2010-Present: Ferrari Notable Achievements 2005 Prince of Asturias Award 2005 Lorenzo Bandini Trophy Autosport International Driver of the Year 2010 DHL Fastest Lap Award
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Post by Anna on Sept 6, 2011 13:44:53 GMT
Alonso rejects criticism of Vettel’s quality
"He is a great champion about to win his second title"
Tuesday 6 September 2011 - 07h27, by GMM Fernando Alonso has defended Sebastian Vettel amid reports the reigning world champion is "not a real racer".
As the Red Bull driver runs away with his second consecutive title in 2011, former grand prix winner David Coulthard observed in his latest Telegraph column that doubts remain about the 24-year-old German’s quality.
"He (Vettel) continues to sweep all before him, and yet there are still those who question Seb’s driving," wrote the Scot. "As if he is simply fortunate to have found himself in a Red Bull. As if he is an average racing driver because he wins races from pole."
Coulthard however thinks Vettel could go on to be F1’s "best driver ever", and Alonso - Ferrari’s lead driver and also a two-time champion - also rates the young German highly.
"I don’t understand the criticisms about him, that he is not a real racer," Alonso told Germany’s Auto Bild Motorsport. "He is a great champion about to win his second title and has remarkable qualities; a lot of speed.
"Yes he has the best car that gets a good place on the grid, but you need to be able to get the most out of it at every race and Sebastian does that very well.
"Even in difficult moments or when he makes a mistake, he is always fighting for the win. It is proof of his great qualities," added the Spaniard.
Alonso however also has great respect for Vettel’s team, including the famous designer of the Red Bull car, Adrian Newey.
"They have played to the regulations better than us and the others and this year they have a great car," he said. "Adrian Newey is obviously the key person but behind him is a strong team.
"Ferrari attracts drivers but also technicians, so if Newey wants to come to us it would be a pleasure to drive his car," smiled Alonso.
The 30-year-old, meanwhile, has indicated he will keep on signing Ferrari contracts at least until he has added a third world championship to his resume.
"It’s very important to me," Alonso admitted.
"I will not stop my career until I am champion with Ferrari. If it doesn’t come by 2016 then I will stay in formula one until 2021 — for twenty years like Michael!"
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Amanda
F1 Fanatic
#WINNING
Posts: 213
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Post by Amanda on Sept 6, 2011 14:30:50 GMT
You see I think the Vettel arguement is just mixing points. When people try to figure out the drivers strengths and weaknesses Vettel probably has a lot of people thinking he's faster then most but weaker at overtaking. It doesn't mean fans don't think he can overtake or won't overtake. Its like Jenson was better at looking after his tyres then overtaking, but look at what Jenson has done recently when he's had to overtake. Alonso in my eyes is more a rounded driver then the rest BUT that doesn't make him better at one thing it just means he can do what the occasion calls for. He's a jack of all trades and a master of none. Every driver has a weakness (Hamilton and Alonso's temperment for example) and each have their strengths. But I'm happy people are sticking up for Vettel! And I love that Alonso is so determined to win for Ferrari he just has to be careful that Ferrari won't want to get rid of him for that long .
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Post by Anna on Sept 7, 2011 13:46:03 GMT
Fernando is officially ill. Or been abducted by aliens. He's being NICE to EVERYONE . Massa ’one of best ever teammates’ - Alonso "I do not have things easy with him" Wednesday 7 September 2011 - 09h45, by GMM After defending the talents of world champion Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso now insists his teammate Felipe Massa is also a top driver. Brazilian Massa has appeared to struggle alongside Ferrari’s highly rated lead driver in the last two seasons, but Spaniard Alonso insists the 30-year-old is on the pace. "I do not have things easy with him (Massa), we are very close to each other," Auto Bild Motorsport quotes him as saying. "There is often only one tenth in it," added Alonso. "He is one of the best teammates I have had. We work well together even though we have quite different styles of driving." Alonso also defended Michael Schumacher, and the seven time world champion’s decision to keep racing in formula one beyond his forthcoming 43rd birthday. "For me he is and remains the best driver in F1 history and deserves respect. His records will probably never be matched. "He still loves to drive and I understand that — those who criticise him do not. I enjoy racing against him and I’m sure that if he had a competitive car he would be able to win races," said Alonso.
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Pete
F1 Fanatic
Petonyo
Posts: 215
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Post by Pete on Sept 7, 2011 19:56:20 GMT
With those eyebrows? I say he is an alien, he's being replaced thats why all of a sudden he's in love with everyone. Actually, Alonso isn't as bad as everyone says he is, he just doesn't talk enough outside the race weekend. In the race weekend he's over competitive and to be fair he's hardly said that much that could be seen as "evil" about anyone. Its Lewis that always brings up stupid things like "its so brilliant overtaking Alonso". Other then when he thinks someones done something wrong and he goes on about it... At length Alonso doesn't actually do the media thing. Still doesn't stop him from being annoying .
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Post by Anna on Sept 12, 2011 14:33:54 GMT
Alonso blames British media for bad image
"That is a belief that was created in 2007"
Monday 12 September 2011 - 10h20, by GMM Fernando Alonso has blamed the British media for his image as a spoilt number 1 driver.
O Estado de S.Paulo correspondent Livio Oricchio asked the Spaniard if it is true that all is well inside his team so long as he does not share equal status with his teammate.
"That is a belief that was created in 2007," said the Ferrari driver, referring to his ill-fated single season alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.
"The reason was the contamination of the media, particularly the British.
"I have been in formula one for 11 years. For ten, I was the consummate professional," he explained. "Engineers, mechanics and my teammates could not say a word against my professionalism.
"But in 2007, McLaren, the English press, week after week, contaminated our relationship, which was not bad. That is what led to this general impression about me.
"But nothing changes for me, my values stay the same. When I went onto the market, the offers I received were as great before and after 2007," added Alonso.
Another perception is that Alonso, 30, is enjoying a position of privilege at Ferrari due to his links with main sponsor Santander, a Spanish bank.
"Good, no?" he laughed. "Everyone can talk and think what they like, it’s part of the sport — the media too, especially with the internet."
F1’s next stop is Singapore, where Alonso won not only last year but also in 2008, when his Renault teammate Nelson Piquet deliberately crashed to bring out the safety car.
The Spaniard insists he still counts the victory among his best.
"There is something about the track that suits my driving style," said Alonso. "I know it’s strange to you, but the victory of 2008 is just as special as the one of last year."
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Post by Anna on Sept 16, 2011 18:25:48 GMT
Fernando Alonso meets the fans in the chat room
Maranello, 16 September – Over 1500 people logged on last night for a video chat with Fernando Alonso, who replied to a host of questions put to him by fans, who were keen to congratulate him on his Monza podium, as well as all sorts of other topics regarding his job and his private life.
On the subject of the Italian GP, Fernando explained to Ciccio he was not surprised at being overtaken by Vettel: “I knew I only found myself leading thanks to a good start, but that sooner or later Vettel would have got past. We were both very determined after the start, him in attacking me and me in defending my position. But looking at how it ended up, it was a spectacular move.” Chris Ferri was keen to quiz Fernando about his team-mate: “I am happy to have Felipe alongside me, because we share the same goals of trying to get Ferrari back on top, trying to do our best, not just for next year, but also for what is left of this season.” There were several questions about the coming round in Singapore and Fernando explained that the track, although very different to others, could well turn out to be suited to the characteristics of the 150° Italia, which means the Scuderia has its eye on securing another win as it prepares to tackle the final run of races outside Europe.
Naturally, those in the chat did not miss the opportunity to ask the Spaniard for his thoughts on next season, and the Asturian driver explained to Andres that the team has high hopes for 2012. “As I’ve said many times before, victory is always our main target, because we are Ferrari and it’s part of our DNA. 2011 definitely did not live up to expectations, although I’m pleased to be currently lying second in the championship. It shows what our aims are and how important our preparations are.” When talking about this year’s car, Alonso used the word “emotive” referring to the fact its name is linked to celebrations for 150 years of Italian unity. “This car will be well remembered for its national characteristics. It was well balanced but unfortunately it also proved to be a little bit difficult when it came to its set-up and performance. For 2012 I hope we have a car that is quick and a winner of course.”
Looking to the past, he picked out Senna as the driver he found most exciting to watch, because of his driving style and also for the passion he demonstrated on track, while of the current crop, Fernando reckons Michael Schumacher is still the greatest in terms of results achieved. He then recalled the lap he drove at the wheel of the 375 F1 at Silverstone, to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of Ferrari’s first win courtesy of Gonzalez at the British GP. Fernando also said he would love to have raced with the legendary V12 Ferrari engine, with its characteristic noise, as well trying out the cars from the early Nineties, the ones he dreamed of driving when he was a kid.
There was also some sadness when the topic of Kubica’s accident was raised. “When I heard the news I was skiing with Felipe Massa and other friends from the team in Val Gardena and I immediately dashed to the hospital to be at his side. It’s the sort of news you hope you never have to hear.” Finally, Marta Romani asked Fernando what was his favourite Italian dish. “I like pizza because it is a well known dish and so it’s usually something you can find quite easily when you are out. When I am in Maranello however, I definitely cannot go without the famous special pasta at the Ristorante Montana.”
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Post by Anna on Sept 22, 2011 14:09:05 GMT
Alonso: in Singapore, there’s more adrenaline
"We try to attack, we try to be aggressive"
Thursday 22 September 2011 - 16h05, by Olivier Ferret In what is now a familiar routine, based on the past three years, Fernando Alonso met the media at the Marina Bay circuit in the “F1 morning” which means late afternoon on the clock. The Spaniard explained that it was this unusual time-table that added to the appeal of the Singapore GP. I like all street circuits in general. I like Monaco and Singapore and I think this race is very unique race, not only because it’s a night race with a different view from the cockpit. It also changes the routine. At other races, we practice 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock and Saturday 2 o’clock for qualifying then we do the meetings, the autograph sessions, the Paddock Club, the Parade lap. There is a routine you do every two weeks everywhere in the world, except Singapore where you change that routine: you go to sleep very late, you wake up at lunchtime and then you race at night. This changes a bit the approach, as in Singapore, there’s more adrenaline, it’s a wonderful race.
With the championship now almost mathematically out of reach, the Ferrari man explained his approach to this weekend and the remaining rounds. “It is the same in all sports; you cannot win every race or match you play,” he said."Obviously, we are very competitive people, all drivers, all mechanics and teams in general. We all want to win. It is something we are not happy with Our performance this year is not something we are happy with, winning just one grand prix so far. Our approach is that we try to attack, we try to be aggressive, in strategies and at the starts and try to win races. We know we cannot fight for the General Classification, we cannot fight for the “Tour de France” but we want to win individual “stages,” we want to win individual races."
As for this weekend, the man from Oviedo reckoned it was possibly one of the best remaining opportunities for a good result for the Prancing Horse. “The characteristics of the circuit are quite similar to Monaco and we were quite competitive there. We have the soft and supersoft tyres and normally this is the combination that we like most, so it should be a good weekend for us, but the victory is never easy or is never close enough when we are fighting with Red Bull and McLaren. It’s going to be tough, but hopefully closer than at some other places. The physical side is very demanding at this circuit. In Monaco we do 70 or 80 kilometres less than here where you do the full 300 kilometres.”
The press pointed out to Fernando that if or when Vettel takes the title this year, he will replace the Spaniard as the youngest ever driver to win two world championship crowns. “He is driving fantastically at the moment,” said Alonso of the German. “This year he makes no mistakes or very few mistakes, where last year we had a few more chances. In general, he has been the best driver with the best package and they deserve where they are.”
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Post by Anna on Sept 24, 2011 19:39:10 GMT
One of my best laps this year, says Alonso
24 September 2011
Fernando Alonso believes his fastest Q3 lap at the Marina Bay Street Circuit may well have been his best of the year, stating that he pushed beyond the limits for the venue's full 5.073-km (3.150-mi). The Ferrari driver starts from fifth on Sunday, one place ahead of team-mate Felipe Massa, despite being almost a full second quicker in qualifying.
"I am pleased with this qualifying, because I think that might have been my best Q3 lap of the whole year," Alonso explained. "I gave it 120 percent, taking risks in some corners, but that was the only way I could hope to fight for the top places.
"If I’d driven a normal lap, I would have finished in the same position, but half a second off the two McLarens, rather than less than a tenth. Sure, if I was in front of Hamilton and Button, then it would be a completely different story, but that’s how it turned out and there’s no point saying we were unlucky.
Alonso believes a podium finish will be possible due to his team's stronger race pace, with Ferrari's tyre degradation levels supposedly slightly lower than its rivals.
"I am convinced that a podium finish is within our reach. Usually, we go better in the race than in qualifying and there is no reason why that should not be the case here. We will try and make up some places at the start, even if, at this track, there is not much of a run from the start line to the first corner.
"Then we will try and make the most of our strategy and any eventual tyre degradation levels lower than that of some our opponents. This is a very hard race for the mechanical parts of the car and the Safety Car is usually involved: we will see what happens, but, I say it again, I am confident in our chances of getting to the podium."
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Post by Anna on Nov 10, 2011 19:52:10 GMT
Alonso: There is only one trophy missing at home
"Once again I will be targeting the podium"
Thursday 10 November 2011 - 16h10, by Olivier Ferret When Fernando Alonso met the media this afternoon in the Scuderia Ferrari hospitality unit, the journalists were quick to open old wounds by asking him about last year’s race here in Abu Dhabi. “I still believe this was not the place where we lost the championship,” he began. “We were not competitive and finished seventh when maybe we could have been fifth, but if you look at the 2010 season as a whole there were examples like Silverstone or Valencia where we were heading for the podium and scored two zeros. That is where we lost the championship.”
Twelve months later, the motivation is still there. “Once again I will be targeting the podium,” said the Spaniard. “I have 72 podiums so far, which means 72 trophies at home, which is not bad. They come from all the circuits on the calendar apart from Abu Dhabi. So there is only one trophy missing at home and I hope that this year I can add the one from Abu Dhabi.” Fernando admitted that maybe last year’s race would have ended differently if DRS had been available and he has high hopes for it this weekend. “The DRS is quite a high challenge here, because in the past this was one of the most difficult tracks for overtaking. It is now time to prove that it works and if it does, it will make this a better race. I am pretty confident it will work and we should have a much better race than last year.”
As for these final two rounds of the championship, Fernando feels their real value will only be seen in 2012. “We will continue to use the Friday practice as a test session aimed at next year, trying to collect as much data as possible for the guys in Maranello. More important than evaluating new components is the work of checking the correlation between what we see on the race track with what we see from the wind tunnel. This means we can work with confidence through December and January, knowing that all the data we have in the tunnel is real. We need to get the most out of ourselves this winter and arrive in March with the best Ferrari possible. It is much more important to learn for the new car: better to get half a tenth of a second for next year than to be second in this Drivers’ championship. But I can see how hard the engineers and mechanics are working to get me to second place, with the whole team being really motivated, so for them I will be trying my best this weekend.”
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Post by Anna on Nov 14, 2011 17:22:11 GMT
Alonso’s unusual milestone
Celebrating his 73rd and latest F1 podium
Sunday 13 November 2011 - 22h27, by Olivier Ferret Fernando Alonso rarely talks about statistics but second place in Abu Dhabi gave him an uncommon reason to be happy.
When asked if finishing on the podium today erased some of the memories of narrowly missing out on the Drivers’ Championship last year, Alonso said it was not case – but went on to explain that he does have a special reason to be happy with the result today. “I don’t think that we were thinking about last year when we came here,” said Alonso in the official FIA press conference.
“It doesn’t change the feeling of last year when we lost the championship at the last moment, to be on the podium today. As I said on Thursday, what makes this podium special is that I think I have 73 podiums now, so 73 trophies in Formula One. I have them from all the circuits that I have raced on in Formula One, so Magny-Cours, Indianapolis etc., circuits which we are not racing on now. And I missed only one at home, and that was Abu Dhabi, because in the three years, I have never been on the podium. So now I have completed all the circuits. So, happy.”
Strictly speaking, Fernando’s recollection is not entirely accurate, as he participated twice in the Austrian Grand Prix and failed to get onto the podium, however he is correct in saying that he has a trophy from every F1 race which he has finished, as his races at the A1 Ring in 2001 for Minardi and 2003 with Renault both ended in a DNF.
Fernando’s victories take in Sakhir, Albert Park, Sepang, Shanghai, Barcelona, Imola, Monaco, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Silverstone, the Nürburgring, Magny-Cours, Hockenheim, the Hungaroring, Monza, Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit, Suzuka and the Korea International Circuit. He’s supplemented that with second place at Istanbul Park, on the Valencia Street Circuit, Spa-Francorchamps, Indianapolis and Interlagos. Third last time out in India kept the run going and second place here completes his set.
“Next year, we go to Austin and the year after to Russia, so there will always be new challenges to tackle and objectives to reach even if, obviously, the main one is always to win the title,” he added. “It’s clear what will be the objective for me and all the team next year: winning the title.”
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Post by Anna on Nov 15, 2011 11:54:53 GMT
Alonso: 20 podiums in two years with Ferrari - not bad!
The average level is still very high
Tuesday 15 November 2011 - 11h55, by Olivier Ferret I’m already home from the trip to Abu Dhabi which ended on a high note. Yesterday’s second place is definitely a better result than we had expected going into the weekend, but what gave me the most satisfaction was the speed we had for practically the whole race. It was a good battle with Hamilton: at some points he was quicker and at others I was. Usually, at the start of a stint, he was able to pull out a bit of a gap, but then I’d close it in the final part, especially when we were both on the Softs. In the second stint the traffic also added to this sort of elastic movement between us, but it’s hard to say which of us it affected most. Having analysed the data in last night’s debrief, it was also clearly the case that the little problem at the second pit stop did not impact on the final result: I would not have been able to get back out on track ahead of Hamilton, who was immediately quick on the Medium tyres. In fact the ability to get the most out of the tyres right from the very first lap, is one of the areas we need to work on for next year.
Bringing home a trophy from Abu Dhabi was very pleasing for me, but I’ve realised I made a statistical error, when I said that in my collection I have at least one trophy from each of the Grand Prix venues since I’ve raced in Formula 1: I’m missing one from Austria where I raced only twice, in 2001 and 2003, failing to finish on both occasions. The first time was in a Minardi, when the gearbox let me down, the second was when I was with Renault and the engine failed. Well, I’m not sure if the Austrian Grand Prix will ever return to the calendar, but if it did happen, then that would be just an extra reason to try and make it to the podium!
Still on the subject of statistics, yesterday’s podium was the twentieth of my “red” career, which means that I have managed to finish in the top three in over half the races I have driven for Ferrari. This shows that even in a year like this, which has not been so fantastic, in terms of our car’s performance, the average level is still very high. It’s not by chance that over the last eighteen years, the Scuderia has managed to win at least one Grand Prix per season. No other team can say the same and factors like this also influenced my decision to extend my contract with Ferrari for such a long time. I know many of you will think it would have been better if I could have come second in Abu Dhabi a year ago. I know it too, but there’s no point in thinking about what might have been, also because I am sure that the time will come sooner or later when we can obtain the satisfaction that has eluded us so far. I am sure that from now until 2016 there will be many more bottles of champagne for me to hand to the mechanics as I come down the steps from the podium!
From Fernando Alonso’s blog on ferrari.com
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Post by Anna on Dec 19, 2011 12:47:13 GMT
Alonso working hard as Ferrari plans February launch
He is in Italy trying different solutions for the 2012 car
Friday 16 December 2011 - 09h14, by GMM Ferrari’s 2012 car will be ready to roll at the first official test of the winter pre-season.
A spokesman for the Italian team told Reuters as well as Autosprint (Italy) and SID news agency (Germany) that the new single seater will be revealed before its Jerez debut in early February.
A precise launch date was not specified.
"Definitely, the new project is a clean break with the past and a very different one," Luca Colajanni is quoted as saying.
Spain’s AS newspaper reported that Fernando Alonso has visited Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters "on several occasions" since the 2011 season ended in Brazil.
"Now, he has travelled to Maranello to be at the controls of the simulator for several days until Monday," said the report.
AS continued: "In fact, unlike normally, the Spaniard was unable to attend an event for Shell this week with journalists in Madrid.
"Instead he is in Italy trying different solutions for the 2012 car, which has been in the developing phase for some time as Ferrari hopes to return to winning ways."
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Post by Anna on Jan 2, 2012 23:01:47 GMT
Alonso: This is the time when one is always optimistic
He ends the year with the Magi
Tuesday 20 December 2011 - 07h26, by Olivier Ferret Fernando Alonso’s last work commitment of 2011 took place yesterday afternoon in the Santander Bank’s head office at Boadilla del Monte, near Madrid. On sunday in Maranello, he was Father Christmas for the families of Ferrari employees and yesterday the Spanish driver was dressed in the robes of one of the Magi kings as part of the end of year festivities with representatives of one the Scuderia’s major sponsors. Alongside Fernando were his two colleagues, Marc Gene and Pedro De La Rosa, much to the delight of the many children present, who all received a Scalextric kit as a gift.
Earlier, Fernando had exchanged seasonal good wishes with a group of Spanish journalists, as well as throwing in some pragmatic views on the Formula 1 season just ended and the one that will be getting underway shortly. “This is the time when one is always optimistic, but then we must wait for the start of the season to see where we really are. It’s true that in the past few days, there was a good feeling at Maranello and there’s an air of confidence about it,” said Fernando. “We want to reacquaint ourselves with the taste of winning that has eluded us for a while. Last spring, we made important changes to the structure of the technical part of the team and now we have adopted a new approach, a less conservative one, in the design of the new car. The philosophy behind the 2012 car is very different to that of 2011, especially in some key areas like suspension and aerodynamics. We know that Ferrari is burdened with the expectations of victory and if it does not happen, in the winter the papers devote page after page to the whys and wherefores as to how things can change, while the others have to make do with the crumbs in terms of media coverage. It’s one of the things that make Ferrari different to all the other teams.”
"However, now’s the time to take it easy for a few weeks,” concluded the man from Oviedo. “Time to recharge the batteries and be one hundred percent ready for next season, which I expect will be much more of an equal fight than the one just gone. Red Bull will still be very strong, but I think they will have less room for improvement than us, as we were so far behind this year.”
In the morning, Alonso received a special recognition from the Autonomous Community of Madrid, who awarded him the International Prize for Sport. Fernando was presented with the award by the President, Esperanza Aguirre, during a ceremony at the Community headquarters.
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Post by Anna on Jan 2, 2012 23:02:20 GMT
Alonso expects Ferrari to close gap on Red Bull
"They don’t have as much room to improve as we do"
Tuesday 20 December 2011 - 07h55, by GMM Fernando Alonso has admitted an "overdose of optimism" as Ferrari looks to bounce back and win the world championship in 2012.
The normally-cautious Spaniard said he expects the "dramatic difference" in pace to Red Bull this year to have been curbed in time for next season, with Ferrari having rendered its conservative approach to history with an all-new project.
"There is an optimism, in fact an overdose as with all the winters with Ferrari, just as it is in the preseason for Real Madrid," said Alonso.
"We are the best team in formula one and we have an obligation to be world champion.
"We are optimistic but we will have strong rivals and the championship will be decided by one or two tenths," he predicted.
"The Red Bull was very, very good and it will be improved further, but they don’t have as much room to improve as we do," Alonso is quoted by Europa Press.
For 2012, the FIA has clamped down on flexible front wings and also blown exhaust diffusers - two innovations pioneered and perfected by current champions Red Bull.
Alonso thinks the cream will still rise to the top.
"It doesn’t matter what rules they (the FIA) think of because the engineers are smarter," he insisted.
Recently, a specialist magazine surveyed every F1 team principal and Sebastian Vettel was voted the best driver of 2011, with Alonso also trailing behind runner-up Jenson Button.
He smiled: "The first position is for the champion of course, because he has been the best.
"Of the others, several of us have done good seasons and it’s difficult to put a value on it due to the differences in the cars.
"F1 goes in cycles," Alonso is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Sebastian won the last two, I have won two, but we will see in ten years who has the most.
"He has been very lucky to have a competitive car so quickly, but I wouldn’t want to swap with anyone. I’m with the team I want to be in."
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