Ferrari: Alonso satisfied, Massa upset

If Ferrari is still in the game in terms of performance, qualifying was rather disappointing for the Scuderia. Fernando Alonso finished fourth and was happy with that but Felipe Massa was pushed back to ninth.

Published on 09/05/2010 à 07:50

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Ferrari, after the victory of Bahrain, seems to have difficulty returning to the forefront. If the F10 is on par with the MP4-25 of McLaren, the margin separating it from the RB6 of Red Bull is still important. Fact, Fernando Alonso is fourth, one second behind the time achieved by the pole sitter, Mark Webber. A chasm, certainly, but Alonso knows that his performance is not in question.

« I am happy with this result, confides the Spanish pilot. We knew that the Red Bulls were untouchable so, fourth is more or less what we expected. » For his part, Stefano Domenicali, team manager, is very enthusiastic about the result of the double World Champion. “ I would like to congratulate Fernando. He did a fantastic lap and knew how to extract every thousandth of a second from the qualities of the package he had at his disposal. »

« We are heading in the right direction », Continues Alonso. But the Spaniard knows that the hardest part is yet to come. Having “stolen” the start of his last Grand Prix, he wants to concentrate on this aspect of the race. “ It will be important to get off to a good start. Lately they haven't been going well for me and now would be a good time to get one! »

Felipe Massa, ninth in qualifying, laughs less. The Brazilian is not comfortable in Barcelona. “ Felipe never managed to find the right feeling this weekend with the car, recognizes Domenicali. Today (yesterday), he did the best he could. We must analyze the reasons that led to this situation. »

« I had a lot of trouble finding grip, says Massa. Especially in the second and third sectors, where the slow turns are placed. I feel like I'm driving a car rally, still understeering. Already yesterday (Friday) I realized that it would not be an easy weekend and I am not surprised by what happened today (yesterday). But we must understand why, without panicking, by analyzing the situation. Maybe I didn't do the best lap possible but I don't think I would have been able to get involved in the fight for the first places. »