Ferrari needs to work harder for Italian GP at Monza: Fernando Alonso
The two-time world champion Fernando Alonso joined Ferrari this year and was expected to make it to the top. However, Alonso has suffered more downs than ups during this season. After a disappointing Belgian Grand Prix, the Spaniard is still optimistic for the Italian Grand Prix and still believes that he can win the title if he scored some good points in the next race.
After a disappointing 10th place in the qualifying at Spa, the former world champion was further fraught by a contact with the Williams of Rubens Barrichello and a silly tyre choice gamble. The rain returned to the track eventually and caused the Spaniard to crash off the track forcing him to retire in Lap 38.
“It was not the Belgian Grand Prix we were expecting, that’s for sure. I think the key moment in my race came on the very first lap. I had made a good start and made up a few places. The car was responding well and there was every chance of finishing on the podium,” Alonso explained on his official Ferrari blog.
The former world champion further explained that he had to come to the pits immediately which cost him everything. The two-time champion believes that he could have done much better. Nevertheless, it would not have changed anything as the rain sabotaged their strategy and their chances of scoring some good points.
Fernando Alonso is in 5th place, 41 points behind the leader Lewis Hamilton with just six races ahead of him. The Spaniard seems quite sure that there is still plenty of time to recover and win the title.
The Ferrari driver said that the opening laps have not been quite well for him and in five out of 13 races, Fernando slipped to the back of the pack because of either his own mistake or some uncontrollable circumstances. It was the case in Belgium as well but the Spaniard believes that luck tends to keep a balance. However, it is payback time now and after a disappointing first race after the summer break, Fernando hopes to recover in the coming six.
Alonso’s rivals Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber scored the most points at Spa and boosted their championship hopes. However, the Spaniard seemed relieved, as his other two rivals Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button were not able to score any points either.
Fernando had earlier stated that who so ever would do the best job in the last seven races would take the title. “Clearly, there are now three of us who need to make up for ground lost in Spa. With this points system and the way races swing one way or another, I am convinced we still have a significant chance. There are 150 points up for grabs, enough to turn the situation around. We must remain calm and concentrate, to try and make up the difference as soon as possible,” he said.
As the Italian Grand Prix is Ferrari’s home race, the team is hopeful that the crowds support and the atmosphere at Monza will boost their spirits.
The Spaniard is aware of the fact that the Italian Grand Prix is vital for him and the team will do everything to secure every single point they can. If the team is able to perform well at Monza, it will boost the team’s hopes. However, if things turn out to go against Ferrari’s wishes and wants, it would be a hard knock for the team but the chase for the title will not be over.
“Racing at Monza for the first time as a Ferrari driver will definitely be a nice feeling. Our team is made up of 95 percent Italians and you can feel the passion and the will to do well for this special event. I can’t wait to be there and look forward to seeing the grandstands packed with fans: we need their support,” said the two-time champion.
The team has to face the World Motor Sport Council meeting that will decide if the team deserves a further penalty after their controversial finish at the Hungaroring Grand Prix in July. The disciplinary hearing is expected to take place in Paris on September 8, two days before the Italian Grand Prix meeting on September 10-12.
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