“Our progress with the car is quite innovative in some areas. There has
been quite a big change compared with past Ferraris. But in my case six days
of testing is not enough to change (the car) from black to white. It’s not a
continuation of last year’s car.
“We need more time to maximise our potential so we can understand and
progress with the car.
“We’ll see how competitive we are in qualifying here, Malaysia as well
and China, but this circuit is quite special as it is a stop-go circuit.
“There are no long corners or anything that can improve the aerodynamics
of the car, so we need to wait a little.
“So it will be no more difficult than last year when we were 1.4 secs
behind Red Bull in qualifying.
“I remember in 2009 when I was at Renault we were quick in winter
testing, but in the first qualifying we were P14, so I am used to hard
starts to the season – unfortunately.”
Alonso, though, has faith Ferrari will pull a rabbit out of the hat, convinced
their pedigree and will to win will see them through.
“We are all prepared, the team is very, very motivated for this
championship, very ambitious,” added the 31-year-old Spaniard.
“There is a great spirit to fight for this championship. We want to be
world champions, this is the clear target and the first priority.
“In November we have to finish with one more point than the guy in
second. It’s a long championship in front of us. We have seen in the past a
poor start from someone and then a great recovery, or the opposite.
“Here we may not be as quick as some other teams, but we want to be
champions in November.
“We are all prepared, we are all united and we trust each other in the
team, so we will fight.”
As a cycling fan, and as someone who has previously voiced the possibility of
forming his own professional team, Alonso drew comparisons with the current
record-breaking 20-race season to the Tour de France.
“It’s like there are 20 stages and this is the prologue, the time trial,”
said Alonso.
“There is a determination and attitude to do well, and there is trust.
“We know that sooner or later Ferrari will win races. If you have a
strong or slow start it doesn’t change much, which is the good thing about
Ferrari.”