Alonso not worried about bad season with Ferrari

**vcs316** · 3rd February 2011, 07:38

Fernando Alonso has reacted cautiously to those predicting a stellar season for him in 2011.

Bernie Ecclestone and Mark Webber are reported to have tipped the Spaniard for title contention with the new F150 Ferrari, which was three tenths faster than reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel's new Red Bull at the Valencia test on Wednesday.

"I have nothing to say about it," Alonso told Spanish reporters when asked about the championship predictions.

"Expectations are naturally high but it's the same for all the drivers with the big teams," he said.

"What gives you some peace of mind is that you know that a bad year at Ferrari or McLaren will have you fifth, while at some other teams you might not be in Q3," added Alonso.

"So that's not something we have to worry about.

"I like the car but it's too early to know if it's good enough to win," he said.

Alonso also tempered his earlier criticism of the Pirelli tyres, whilst many drivers are speaking about high degradation, inconsistency and handling problems.

"It is true that they degrade but it was worse on the first day," said Alonso.

"We have made some setup changes that have helped us, while others have improved maybe less.

"The truth is that adapting the car to the tyres is one of the main challenges."

He also dismissed reports that Renault's new exhausts which exit near the sidepods is set to be the must-have innovation of 2011.

"There are new things with each team; Renault have that and the others have something else," Alonso answered coyly.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=399141

**Rishu** · 3rd February 2011, 08:20

Bernie also tipped Vettel to take the crown well before 2010 season started.

**gvsnraju85** · 3rd February 2011, 08:35

Originally Posted by vcs316

Fernando Alonso has reacted cautiously to those predicting a stellar season for him in 2011.

He also dismissed reports that Renault's new exhausts which exit near the sidepods is set to be the must-have innovation of 2011.

"There are new things with each team; Renault have that and the others have something else," Alonso answered coyly.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=399141

He said the same thing about F-Duct last year....but we all know how it turned out......

I know perceptions change with hindsight .......but we also know that in F1 any new innovation/invention is a must have for every team that wants to be on top unless they have something better.

**Rishu** · 3rd February 2011, 09:15

Originally Posted by gvsnraju85

He said the same thing about F-Duct last year....but we all know how it turned out......

I know perceptions change with hindsight .......but we also know that in F1 any new innovation/invention is a must have for every team that wants to be on top unless they have something better.

F1 is a sport in which positions are defined by 1 tenth of a second, so any invention that can give you extra, even if its small, can work wonders. I am sure Alonso is showing calmness but Maranello has already started working on it.

**Pekka** · 3rd February 2011, 10:54

Vettel & RB combo will be unstopable in 2011 I predict.

**Rishu** · 3rd February 2011, 10:57

Originally Posted by Pekka

Vettel & RB combo will be unstopable in 2011 I predict.

Reliability is key don't forget & Vettel is a big time crash kid

**Hermann** · 3rd February 2011, 11:00

Originally Posted by Rishu

Reliability is key don't forget & Vettel is a big time crash kid

Didn't stop them from winning the title in the end- and as for reliability, Fernando already had a problem with the engine yesterday morning, though he didn't mention this in his english interviews and statements.

For now RB is still the favourite, and from some cryptic remarks from Whitmarsh maybe the Macca as well. Its going to be a long season...

**Rishu** · 3rd February 2011, 11:06

Originally Posted by Hermann

Didn't stop them from winning the title in the end- and as for reliability, Fernando already had a problem with the engine yesterday morning, though he didn't mention this in his english interviews and statements.

For now RB is still the favourite, and from some cryptic remarks from Whitmarsh maybe the Macca as well. Its going to be a long season...

F10 was the most realiable car i guess. remember they are still testing, its not Bahrain yet. Ste was correct, you are over worried

**Hermann** · 3rd February 2011, 11:14

I have reasons to be worried, but the season is going to be long and we will see.

**Rishu** · 3rd February 2011, 11:16

Ferrari will rock !!
All the best

**Tifosi** · 3rd February 2011, 11:26

Originally Posted by Hermann

I have reasons to be worried, but the season is going to be long and we will see.

You find reasons to be worried dude.

**neermsc** · 3rd February 2011, 11:30

i think all teams will have the new exhausts before the cars line up in bahrain.....its a brilliant innovation.....and its working....so everyone including Ferrari MUST have it to be competitive unless we have something even more radical(which is unlikely at this point):)

**vcs316** · 3rd February 2011, 11:32

Originally Posted by Tifosi

You find reasons to be worried dude.

He is a bit apprehensive about the 2011 season and so is everyone on the forum including me. Will the Renault exhausts will give them a performance advantage? Should Ferrari incorporate them?? There are so many questions that need answers but we wouldn't know where we stand until the lights go green in Bahrain..

**REDARMYSOJA** · 3rd February 2011, 16:35

Originally Posted by neermsc

i think all teams will have the new exhausts before the cars line up in bahrain.....its a brilliant innovation.....and its working....so everyone including Ferrari MUST have it to be competitive unless we have something even more radical(which is unlikely at this point):)

I haven't seen the Renault at the top of the timesheets, so I'm not so sure it's working as far as improving their time.

edit : Well, I made that post before I checked todays times.

**SilverSpeed** · 3rd February 2011, 18:23

Originally Posted by REDARMYSOJA

I haven't seen the Renault at the top of the timesheets, so I'm not so sure it's working as far as improving their time.

edit : Well, I made that post before I checked todays times.

hehe you pwnt yourself