Alonso’s diary – in China to seize every opportunity

**Greig** · 13th April 2011, 18:09

I arrived in Shanghai this morning. Two days relaxing were much needed after what was a very tough weekend in Sepang and now I’m ready for the second race in as many weekends, which also brings to an end the first run of Grands Prix outside Europe. I was disappointed not to get to the podium in Malaysia, as it was within my reach and it would have been a great result. It would also have been useful in terms of being a nice morale booster. Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we wanted and we paid a very heavy price for the failure on the system that runs the moveable rear wing. I know that the engineers, with whom I’ve been in touch a lot over these past days, have discovered the problem and fixed it. If the system had worked, I could comfortably have got past Hamilton on the pit straight and I would not have found myself having to fight him wheel to wheel and taking risks. What happened is part of racing and you have to accept it: I was quicker than him and so I had to try and pass, otherwise I would have been caught by those behind us. As for the penalty I was given, I already said on Sunday night in Sepang, I don’t want to talk about it because it changes nothing.

As we had already seen in Australia, once again in Malaysia, our race pace was much better than that in qualifying. In Sepang, both Felipe and I were running at a pace good enough to get to the podium and that was an important indication, even if we did not end up getting all we could have done. Clearly, I would like to always be fighting for the win but, at the moment, one car, Vettel’s Red Bull, seems to be out of reach.

In Maranello, the engineers are working a lot to try and improve the performance of the 150º Italia. In Shanghai, we are due to try a new front wing and a few other aero updates: let’s hope they bring us something, but we will have to evaluate them very carefully in Friday’s practice. Our aim in this Grand Prix will be similar to the one in Malaysia, which means to make the best of qualifying and try to exploit any opportunity that comes our way during the race. It should be much cooler this weekend than in Sepang, more like what we experienced in Melbourne. Starting on Friday, we will see how the tyres behave and once again we have the Hard as the Prime compound and the Soft as the Option. Malaysia produced a different situation to the first race but we still need to work out how much was down to the temperatures and how much to the nature of the circuits, in terms of their layout and surface.

I spoke to President Montezemolo after the Malaysian race: he was not happy and why would he be, as I was not either. We know we need to react quickly to make up the gap to the championship leader. It’s true that if you compare the situation after the first two races of 2010 with this year, we are a long way behind: back then, yours truly was in the lead and Vettel was quite a way off, but it’s also true that, if you take into consideration the individual races in Australia and Malaysia, I have got eight points more than was the case last year. It’s a bit of a game, but it’s also a way to understand that there are different ways of looking at things, even direct opposites. Also not to be taken seriously was the joke our President made about a hypothetical fantasy government made up of drivers: I thank him for having thought of me for the role of premier, but I’d rather stick to racing!

**Suzie** · 13th April 2011, 20:32

a hypothetical fantasy government made up of drivers

Must have missed that one! Wonder what Luca was warbling on about this time.

**Alessandra** · 13th April 2011, 20:46

I have got eight points more than was the case last year. It’s a bit of a game, but it’s also a way to understand that there are different ways of looking at things, even direct opposites.

'Always look on the bright side of life!' Typical Fernando

Long may it last!

**Rob** · 13th April 2011, 20:47

Originally Posted by Suzie

Must have missed that one! Wonder what Luca was warbling on about this time.

MONTEZEMOLO WANTS ALONSO FOR PM, NO JOB FOR MASSA
Wednesday 13 April at 10:01 : Apr.13

(GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has responded mischievously to speculation about his future in politics.

It has been rumoured the Italian might hang up his hat as Ferrari president for a new calling, to which he told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Me in politics? Yes, with Alonso as prime minister.

"I would have him because he has the strongest character and is optimistic but also a realist."

Montezemolo then named a cabinet of senior ministers to support his Spanish prime minister.

"Vettel, who is smart and fast, Rosberg for being able to hold off Schumacher, Perez for his talent and Hamilton, a great champion," he said.

Notably missing from Montezemolo's cabinet was Felipe Massa, whose Ferrari contract runs out at the end of the season.

He did however refer to three F1 legends: "Lauda, who was able to never pay for anything, not even a drink, Schumacher never gave up, and before he died Senna told me that his dream was to win a world championship with Ferrari."

Back to reality, Montezemolo admitted that after a tough start to the 2011 world championship for Ferrari, it is unrealistic to expect the 150 Italia car to win in China this weekend.

"I expect some improvement, but it will be difficult to reverse the situation in one week," he said.

The Italian continued to rail against modern F1, including its reliance on aerodynamics, "Because we are building cars, not planes or satellites".

He admitted he wants private track testing to return "To help young guys develop and for safety", and criticised FIA officials' decision last Sunday to penalise Alonso and Lewis Hamilton after a duel at Sepang.

"Let's not overreact, it was a great fight between them," said Montezemolo.

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/daily...for+Massa.html

**Ferrarichamp** · 13th April 2011, 21:02

Originally Posted by Rob

MONTEZEMOLO WANTS ALONSO FOR PM, NO JOB FOR MASSA
Wednesday 13 April at 10:01 : Apr.13

Notably missing from Montezemolo's cabinet was Felipe Massa, whose Ferrari contract runs out at the end of the season.

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/daily...for+Massa.html

I thought it ran till the end of 2012?

**Tony** · 13th April 2011, 21:18

Originally Posted by Rob

The Italian continued to rail against modern F1, including its reliance on aerodynamics, "Because we are building cars, not planes or satellites".
http://www.onestopstrategy.com/daily...for+Massa.html

Um how's about you find Ferrari someone that can design a plane or satellite then.....

**yellowbird rs** · 13th April 2011, 22:19

Originally Posted by Ferrarichamp

I thought it ran till the end of 2012?

it ends at the finish of the current season

and I think is all we see from FM at Ferrari

but how knows maybe he can find his speed again and fight for a new contract

**luicchi** · 13th April 2011, 22:42

"in China to seize every opportunity"
Ok .. what you read these words .... well according to journalists, this words mean that only the misfortune of others will be good for Alonso and Ferrari, but is it really that?? My opinion is NO! !
My reading is as follows, with various modifications that the car will be equipped the truth is that we are more ahead which will mean that we can actually fight for victory here in China. Actually no one can think in a week (which actually says Alonso by bluffing that a week is not enough time), anyone can rise as much income, but in reality at Ferrari is possible therefore "let us take this opportunity. "
Ferrari bluffing is my certainty!

**FerrariF60** · 13th April 2011, 23:27

Originally Posted by luicchi

Ferrari bluffing is my certainty!

i hope you know something WE don't and that you are right...
in that case here's a FORZA for a FERRARI 1-2 this weekend.

**Suzie** · 13th April 2011, 23:30

Originally Posted by yellowbird rs

it ends at the finish of the current season

and I think is all we see from FM at Ferrari

but how knows maybe he can find his speed again and fight for a new contract

No it doesn't, his contract ends at the end of the 2012 season... unless they pull a 'Kimi' on him that is

http://www.mibz.com/13241-official-f...ntil-2012.html

OFFICIAL: Felipe Massa Signs New Ferrari F1 Team Deal Until 2012
June 9th 2010
Share Ferrari announced Wednesday that they extended Felipe Massa’s contract with two years, the new deal expiring at the end of the 2012 Formula 1 season.

After this announcement we are sure of Scuderia’s drivers grid that will attack the F1 world titles in the next two years, after Felipe Massa signed a new contract until 2012.

The previous deal between Ferrari and the Brazilian driver was expiring at the end of this season, and the international press has intensely speculated that the Italians are interested by the Polish Rober Kubica from Renault. Massa expressed his happiness to continue to drive for Ferrari F1 Team for at least two seasons.

“I am happy to be given the opportunity to drive for Ferrari for a further two seasons. Throughout my entire Formula 1 career, I have always raced with an engine made in Maranello and it is a matter of pride for me to be able to continue working with a team that I regard as a second family,” said the Brazilian.

**Vittorio** · 14th April 2011, 07:51

Originally Posted by Rob

MONTEZEMOLO WANTS ALONSO FOR PM, NO JOB FOR MASSA
Wednesday 13 April at 10:01 : Apr.13

(GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has responded mischievously to speculation about his future in politics.

It has been rumoured the Italian might hang up his hat as Ferrari president for a new calling, to which he told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Me in politics? Yes, with Alonso as prime minister.

"I would have him because he has the strongest character and is optimistic but also a realist."

Montezemolo then named a cabinet of senior ministers to support his Spanish prime minister.

"Vettel, who is smart and fast, Rosberg for being able to hold off Schumacher, Perez for his talent and Hamilton, a great champion," he said.

Notably missing from Montezemolo's cabinet was Felipe Massa, whose Ferrari contract runs out at the end of the season.

He did however refer to three F1 legends: "Lauda, who was able to never pay for anything, not even a drink, Schumacher never gave up, and before he died Senna told me that his dream was to win a world championship with Ferrari."

Back to reality, Montezemolo admitted that after a tough start to the 2011 world championship for Ferrari, it is unrealistic to expect the 150 Italia car to win in China this weekend.

"I expect some improvement, but it will be difficult to reverse the situation in one week," he said.

The Italian continued to rail against modern F1, including its reliance on aerodynamics, "Because we are building cars, not planes or satellites".

He admitted he wants private track testing to return "To help young guys develop and for safety", and criticised FIA officials' decision last Sunday to penalise Alonso and Lewis Hamilton after a duel at Sepang.

"Let's not overreact, it was a great fight between them," said Montezemolo.

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/daily...for+Massa.html

LdM is an accomplished man but he doesn't have the wit to have made this even mildly amusing. Two things irk about this silly little musing by Luca, however:

1. The omission of Massa is beyond the pale in its crass disloyalty. The guy still drives for the team, you pompous SOB!

2. I thought the 'backhanded compliment' against Lauda's stinginess was a nasty little swipe. And, again, disloyal, not to mention disparaging of Ferrari's history. After all, whatever one might say about Lauda, he won two titles for Ferrari, and nearly won a third in 1976, the very year of his horrific accident at Nurburgring. And, btw, the Austrian won the 1977 title even though the Scuderia were openly supporting Clay Regazzoni as the team's number 1 that season. Lauda had the last laugh on that one, I think.

Very petty, Luca.

**Ferrari_Fanatic** · 14th April 2011, 14:55

I think Massa will still be in a Ferrari next year i mean who could you replace Massa with??? He's a proven winner and in my eyes won the German GP last year!

**Ferrarichamp** · 14th April 2011, 14:59

well Massa did beat Alonso in Malaysia.

**crewskas** · 14th April 2011, 15:13

Originally Posted by Ferrari_Fanatic

I think Massa will still be in a Ferrari next year i mean who could you replace Massa with??? He's a proven winner and in my eyes won the German GP last year!

Perez money...
(I can't know for his talent from so soon, so I'm not saying just money)...