Fernando Alonso says there is more to come from Ferrari after he finished the first day at Suzuka as second fastest, behind Jenson Button.
However the Spaniard cautioned that Red Bull is likely to end up trumping both teams come Sunday.
“I’m sure that all drivers tomorrow will try to find something more,” said Alonso. “Even if Suzuka is a track where if you push a little bit over the limit then you go off the track. In my case I’m sure that tomorrow I can find some more tenths, especially in the first sector, the Esses, always when you go through there you think that you can push a little bit more on the next lap.
“But with this year’s tyres there is not any more the next lap, you have only one chance, so tomorrow in Q3 I’m sure we will find the perfect lap.”
Regarding his prospects for the race, Alonso added: “I think we need to look at the grid position tomorrow after qualifying and then we decide. Our target, our aim is to fight for the podium in the races from now until the end, but we know that Red Bull tomorrow will be very strong, as normally they are on Saturdays. On this type of circuit the normal result is first and second, so we need to fight with McLaren for the third position.”
Adam Cooper F1 