Alonso: There is time to recover

This afternoon Fernando Alonso was the protagonist of the first meeting of the race weekend with the press. Since the European stage of the World Championship has begun, for the first time this season the event took place in the Ferrari hospitality area reserved for journalists inside the paddock.

As the Spanish driver explained, however, the succession of races in the coming weeks will be similar to what was seen in the first events. “We had three weeks to recover after the first three Grands Prix and now I'm ready to contest another three races in four weeks, the same pattern as what we already saw at the beginning of the season, with one race followed by two races, one following the 'another within a week,” explained Fernando. “We hope to collect more points in the next three Grands Prix than we did in the first three. Last season we lost points in the early stages, then we recovered in the final part and we came close to winning the title in the last race. This year we are currently losing points and we are aware that there is some distance between us and the leaders. But we are in the early stages of the season compared to last year, when our recovery only started at Silverstone, around the eleventh race. Now we are only at the fourth Grand Prix: we still have a lot of time."

Despite the Scuderia's announcement regarding the use here in Turkey of a new front and rear wing, as well as new brake air intakes, Fernando clarified that journalists and fans should not expect miracles. “We know that the updates we have here will improve the car compared to China: they should be in the order of a couple of tenths per lap, it's not a revolutionary change,” said the Spanish driver. “We won't completely change our car in just one race. Step by step we have to reduce the disadvantage and we are very happy with the work done in the last three weeks, but we have to wait, probably until qualifying, to understand how much we have reduced our gap, considering that it is logical to expect that the other teams will also have made progress. It will be a good motivation for everyone within the team if we can do well here. As for me, I did what I could in the break, working on the simulator, which is the most a driver can do to really help the team. I am sure that we will recover very soon, and perhaps here in Turkey we will already see the first positive signs."

A journalist who is careful in analyzing every aspect of the Grands Prix pointed out to Alonso how he did not have a good start to the race in the first three rounds of this season. “It's true,” admitted the Ferrari driver. “I had clutch problems in China which led me to have a slow start. I was slow in my reaction times in Malaysia, which cost me a few positions, while in Australia, when I was close to my best start, Petrov pushed Jenson to the outside, who in turn, to get away from Petrov, moved found himself forced to widen on me. In short, we have to ensure that there are no clutch problems, I have to improve my reactions and we have to perfect the luck factor at the start!".

Finally Fernando was asked about his friend Robert Kubica. “Everyone misses Robert,” said the Spanish driver. “It's the first feeling we felt in Australia, and when we took the group photo with all the riders, as per tradition for the first race of the year, we all had the feeling that someone was missing. Let's hope he recovers quickly, I spoke to him three days ago: he is doing well, even if it is not an easy recovery, but I am sure that he will be back with us, maybe already this year, without a doubt next season”.