Alonso downplays practice performance

**Mrs.Domenicali** · 26th May 2011, 16:24

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91734

Alonso downplays practice performance

By Pablo Elizalde Thursday, May 26th 2011, 15:12 GMT

Fernando Alonso has downplayed the significance of his quickest time in Friday practice at Monaco, saying Red Bull is still the favourite for victory.

"I think it's only Friday [Thursday], so we need to see," said Alonso, who finished the afternoon session on top of the times ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

"We see Red Bull on Fridays testing different things and then on Saturday they are very strong.

"I expect them to be very competitive in qualy and I think in five days things cannot change so much, so I expect Red Bull to be the favourite for qualifying and the race.

"But it's true also that this is a very unique venue, so anything can happen. There is no room for mistakes so there is also this factor."

The Ferrari driver, who was lapped in the Spanish Grand Prix last Sunday, said his car was making him feel confident around the streets of the principality.

"The car is responding well and here we know it's about confidence in the car," he said. "Having a good set-up that enables you to brake later, to go in the corner quicker.

"And at the moment the car is offering me that possibility so I'm happy, but obviously it's only Friday [Thursday] and we know on Saturday the stress and the pressure will increase and you need to have some margin and it's very easy to make a mistake."

The Spaniard also played down a close call during second practice, when he nearly crashed into the back of his team-mate Felipe Massa.

"I think it was not Felipe, it was the car in front. I think it was a McLaren slowing down every lap in the last corner. Felipe was slowing down because of a McLaren."

**F1NAC** · 26th May 2011, 16:38

but obviously it's only Friday [Thursday] x2 XD

**gvera** · 26th May 2011, 16:50

Monaco 'hides' our aerodynamic deficencies...

**ferrari4life** · 26th May 2011, 16:52

On the forum we always excuse Ferrari's lack of pace on Friday with a "Its only practice.." whatever are we going to do with ourselves today.

**Alonsomaniac** · 26th May 2011, 20:15

Fernando has to do two things: first have a perfect qualylap like last week and second have a start like last week. Both are far from easy, but I sure hope he can do it once more!

**Rob** · 26th May 2011, 20:17

if he gets a start like last Sunday wow!!! its possible to get front row Saturday.

**crewskas** · 26th May 2011, 20:46

Noone can't have such a start in Monaco...
Short straight and very narrow, so impossible to earn more than 2 places (if you are lucky).

**scuderiafan** · 26th May 2011, 23:40

Originally Posted by crewskas

Noone can't have such a start in Monaco...
Short straight and very narrow, so impossible to earn more than 2 places (if you are lucky).

agreed.

but maybe a KERS advantage may help. Rb are thinking of dropping it, and the merc teams also have problems.

**XXX132** · 27th May 2011, 07:09

Fastest in free. I'll settle for that! It's a small victory but hopefully the beginning of better days...

If the car has any pace on this circuit, hopefully FA can qualify at/near the front without having to burn up too many tyres in Quali and save them for the race instead. Off-line will be very slippery here I reckon.

I am wary of safety cars incidents at this track. There have been very few so far this year. Maybe we are due...

**sav_pap** · 27th May 2011, 09:14

Adding to that previously said I think the first stop is very crusial. If you are in the front you must build a gap to the slower cars to allow you not to mess with the traffic in the second stint. If you stuck behind a Lotus for example after your pitstop, you destroy your race.

**Fiondella** · 27th May 2011, 09:53

Both cars look fantastic on long runs and there's no problem with tyre degradation, so if the cars are leading a single stopper may just be possible. The principality and Montreal will be a fantastic opportunity for rich pickings for the scuderia me thinks.
My prediction is a Ferrari 1 2

**sav_pap** · 27th May 2011, 09:59

Originally Posted by Fiondella

Both cars look fantastic on long runs and there's no problem with tyre degradation, so if the cars are leading a single stopper may just be possible. The principality and Montreal will be a fantastic opportunity for rich pickings for the scuderia me thinks.
My prediction is a Ferrari 1 2

P1 with Alonso I agree but Massa P2 in our dreams perhaps... (following his results so far...)

**MarlboroFA** · 27th May 2011, 09:59

I allready said that in Monaco en Canada we would do good..And not only because of our aero but also the tyres...So I hope we can get a win our at least a podium..But Canada a win is possible...

**justjesper** · 27th May 2011, 19:20

Who knows Massa might get pole, as in 2008. great race.

**FerrariF60** · 27th May 2011, 20:26

Originally Posted by justjesper

Who knows Massa might get pole, as in 2008. great race.

somehow, i very much doubt it...Alonso on the other hand MIGHT do it

**Ken** · 27th May 2011, 21:16

Originally Posted by Mrs.Domenicali

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91734

Alonso downplays practice performance

By Pablo Elizalde Thursday, May 26th 2011, 15:12 GMT

Fernando Alonso has downplayed the significance of his quickest time in Friday practice at Monaco, saying Red Bull is still the favourite for victory.

"I think it's only Friday [Thursday], so we need to see," said Alonso, who finished the afternoon session on top of the times ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

"We see Red Bull on Fridays testing different things and then on Saturday they are very strong.

"I expect them to be very competitive in qualy and I think in five days things cannot change so much, so I expect Red Bull to be the favourite for qualifying and the race.

"But it's true also that this is a very unique venue, so anything can happen. There is no room for mistakes so there is also this factor."

The Ferrari driver, who was lapped in the Spanish Grand Prix last Sunday, said his car was making him feel confident around the streets of the principality.

"The car is responding well and here we know it's about confidence in the car," he said. "Having a good set-up that enables you to brake later, to go in the corner quicker.

"And at the moment the car is offering me that possibility so I'm happy, but obviously it's only Friday [Thursday] and we know on Saturday the stress and the pressure will increase and you need to have some margin and it's very easy to make a mistake."

The Spaniard also played down a close call during second practice, when he nearly crashed into the back of his team-mate Felipe Massa.

"I think it was not Felipe, it was the car in front. I think it was a McLaren slowing down every lap in the last corner. Felipe was slowing down because of a McLaren."

Wonder was Senamilton the driver ????

**Nova** · 27th May 2011, 21:19

Originally Posted by crewskas

Noone can't have such a start in Monaco...
Short straight and very narrow, so impossible to earn more than 2 places (if you are lucky).

N That aint counting all the guys that are going to run into when u apply the brakes for turn 1...

**Nova** · 27th May 2011, 21:20

Originally Posted by justjesper

Who knows Massa might get pole, as in 2008. great race.

Massa's going to win Monaco..

**alogoc** · 27th May 2011, 21:25

Originally Posted by Nova

Massa's going to win Monaco..

**Nova** · 27th May 2011, 22:41

I dont think its funny, Im serious..Then all of the Ferrari fans will be happy..
I Know I will be.

**REDARMYSOJA** · 28th May 2011, 00:08

Originally Posted by alogoc

To have that little faith in a member of our team is pathetic.

**crewskas** · 28th May 2011, 02:00

Originally Posted by REDARMYSOJA

To have that little faith in a member of our team is pathetic.

He isn't a fan of the team...
Just a Nando fan boy...

I really wish Felipe to do such a comeback...
Would be amazing...!

**Nova** · 28th May 2011, 02:23

Well, I have no problemo whatsoever if Nando wins either...
I really hope we just kikeveryones butts..
Top 2 steps podium baby!!! I'll take it!

**Agron** · 28th May 2011, 02:33

Originally Posted by REDARMYSOJA

To have that little faith in a member of our team is pathetic.

Massa could win, but I wouldn't bet any amount of money no matter the odds, as I'm 99% sure someone else will win. Massa isn't particularly excellent in Monaco, the car although it seems it works well in this track isn't the fastest here either, and he is paired with a faster and more consistant driver who is good around this circuit too. Alogoc could have been far more polite in his answer, but the comment he is answering to is way too brave.
I think a top5 upwards finish for Massa and maybe a top3 upwards finish for Alonso may be doable, if everything works right for them.

**Nova** · 28th May 2011, 02:44

Me? Brave? Hey thanks....But Im standing by my prediction..
Massa's gonna win..

**Stormsearcher** · 28th May 2011, 05:12

We could have 2 drivers on the podium this race! I mean its a possibility. The car seems to be doing fine. yes, its not the fastest but its very competitive. And sometimes thats all you need.
I will have to agree with some people that Alonso would stand a stronger chance than Felipe of winning it, but i do not think either of them will win this race. The bulls have definitely been hiding some pace. We will see that in quali (like every other time zzzzzzz.... )

In any case, we can actually hope for a good result from Monaco.

Go Ferrari!!