Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso says he respects and admires Michael Schumacher
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has admitted that the one person he respects and admires is the seven-time Formula One winner Michael Schumacher.
He said if Mercedes GP fought for pole position in the upcoming season, Schumacher would be one of the most formidable rivals for Ferrari. However, he said he would have to wait to see how Mercedes GP performed in the first three or four races because that
would determine the machine’s position.
Earlier, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel also called Mercedes GP driver Michael Schumacher his role model.
Michael Schumacher did not perform well in his comeback season of 2010 when he had returned from retirement he had announced three years ago.
Alonso expects Schumacher to be one of the most important contenders for the 2011 title. However, he is not sure about his own chances in the upcoming season. He said his confusion was because he still did not fully know Ferrari’s new car for the season.
“There is no clear reference point for where we stand. Are we happy with the car? Yes. Is it reliable? Yes. Fast? We'll know in Australia,” he said.
Alonso said the other drivers on his team also were not anxious about the Australian Grand Prix because they would like to know more about how they should expect their new car to perform. Alonso is confident of the technology of the 150th Italia Ferrari
car. But to be sure of its performance, he has to wait for the first race of the season.
Alonso was not bothered about the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was postponed after two weeks of discussions by senior officials. “I don't think it changes much. Nobody really knows how anyone else is doing. This year, there were no leaks
in the paddock. Let's see who can draw an advantage from the late start,” he said.
F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone is still finding the best place to fit the Bahrain GP into the race calendar as it was cancelled due to unforeseen political unrest in the country. Alonso is hopeful that the race would be rescheduled and not cancelled. However,
observers say that the race cannot be rescheduled as there are 19 races already scheduled for the 2011 season.
Robert Kubica of Renault, who suffered a bad accident earlier in February, is a very good friend of Alonso. He told reporters that his friend was bored because he was still recovering from the accident. “Kubica is bored. It’s 16 hours [a day] in bed with
nothing to do. He is not in very good spirits. He's making calculations so he can return as soon as possible.”
However, Alonso also considers that Nick Heidfeld is a good replacement for Renault.
The Austrailian Grand Prix is expected to start on 27 March in Melbourne.
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