However, all it has to show for it is four points from Alonso’s seventh place in Valencia. A real shame, because the F10 has moved up a gear in performance terms, as could clearly be seen at the English track, whose characteristics are definitely not best suited to the Maranello car.

“No point in crying about it,” Montezemolo had said on the Monday after the race, calling for a reaction and his call has been met. Although hardly possible, believes Ferrari, the effort has been further intensified and even the drivers have played their part: they have spent a day each on the simulator in preparation for the Hockenheim race, as well as trying out some solutions for later in the season. Alonso and Massa also took part in various meetings with the engineers to discuss not just the short-term development plan for the car, but also casting an eye forward to what the 2011 car might be like.

A further boost to flagging fortunes came last night from Stefano Domenicali during the usual monthly meeting with the GeS senior management. The Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal was very blunt: “Anyone who does not believe that we can win the world championship would do better looking for another job. No one here is giving up: there are still nine races to go and anything can happen. We will have to do our job perfectly, that is to say the Ferrari way and then the results will come.” Just in case there was any need for further proof of the will to fight back, that was it, delivered in a clear and forthright manner.