Experience is vital for title race, states Fernando Alonso
2005-06 Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari has stated that the key to taking home the F1 title in 2010 could come down to a driver’s experience. In contrast with Michael Schumacher’s
comments, who claimed that experience had little part to play in hungering for the win, Alonso claimed that his track record could give him the edge over his fellow contenders.
The 29-year-old, who fought back the title battle with his glorious win at Monza, is currently third in the rankings with the likes of Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Jenson Button.
Yet the Spaniard insists that he is not allowing the pressure get to him. “Fighting for a first championship is really intense. Sometimes it is not the best thing. [I] don't have the pressure of becoming a world champion. You race in a more relaxed way. You
know what you have to do.”
Alonso also commented on the drastic unpredictability of the 2010 season, and expressed his expectations for Ferrari in the following races. “I knew that one race can put you in the championship," he acknowledged.
“Being in a competitive car now with Ferrari, I'm very confident that I can do well in Singapore. We will be 90 percent at a lot of the tracks. We don't have any disadvantage in any track so we can benefit from this consistency.”
And consistency is a strength which has been resurfacing for the Ferrari side, having earned impressive finishes in the last four races. For Alonso, podium finishes have now become a must, with no points
to lose. “It is true that with five races to go, if you have a bad race or a retirement, it becomes more difficult. So we arrive at a point where there is not reverse gear anymore. It is just flat out.”
But despite Ferrari’s recent form, and a series of upgrades to the vehicle to make it more aerodynamically efficient, the veteran racer remains grounded about his chances going into Singapore. “We know
Red Bull are maybe the favourites. They have had the best car for the whole of the 2010 season. We know it is going to be hard, we respect our rivals but at the same time I'm sure we will have a chance.”
Alonso came fourth in the second practice session at Singapore with a time of 1:47.718.
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