Fernando Alonso has had a great run of results recently, but the Spaniard admits he was disappointed to tumble from second to fourth place in the closing laps at Spa, especially after running so strongly earlier in the race.
As at previous races this year Ferrari struggled on the prime tyre, which in this case was the medium. Alonso could do little to defend his position when caught by Mark Webber and later Jenson Button, the latter benefiting further by being on the soft tyre.
“It’s impossible in Spa when someone comes 1-1.5s quicker than you,” said Alonso. “With the DRS etc, an overtaking manoeuvre is quite straightforward. So I knew that sooner or later the possibility of the podium was not a real one today, and unfortunately it happened, we lost again, and it’s a disappointing feeling when you stop the car.
“But it was a fun race. The start was quite good, and in the first couple of laps we had a lot of battles, and at one point [I was] leading the race when we decided not to stop under the safety car. So a fun day, but we want the podium each time.”
At one stage Alonso had a close run through Eau Rouge with Webber, the Aussie managing to emerge in front: “It was a good battle – with Mark it’s always quite good to battle, there’s a lot of respect for everybody, and fair game, and no problems. So it was good. Eau Rouge, it’s always very special to battle there…”
Alonso admits that Ferrari’s title hopes are getting ever more remote.
“Well I think every race it’s more and more difficult, so one race less, 25 points less available, and more distance, because they keep winning. While it’s mathematically possible you need to keep fighting, but at the moment they are doing a fantastic job.
“Monza is the home Grand Prix for Ferrari, we all want to do well there, so we will all try to make an extra effort in Monza to be fighting for victory.”
Adam Cooper F1 