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"I’m very calm regarding the work done by
all the technicians at Ferrari," said
Fernando Alonso at the launch of the F10
today as he appeared in the full colours of
Ferrari for the first time, adding: "we have
the best technicians in the world. |
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Fernando
Alonso arrived at the convention centre for the press
conference at the presentation of the F10, the new
single-seater for the 2010 season, in the afternoon to
answer the journalists’ questions. The Spanish driver’s
first impressions of the new car were positive:
“Regarding its comfort it seems to be more or less on
the same level as last year’s car. There’s always
something to improve in the cockpit – seat, elbows,
pedals, which have a different inclination compared to
the standard set up, while we’ve been working on the
steering wheel mainly in November and December to
simplify things a little compared to the past.”
Alonso was
extremely calm regarding the possibilities of the F10‘s
development: “I’m very calm regarding the work done by all
the technicians at Ferrari. We have the best technicians in
the world. The work we’re doing in February, with Felipe’s
and my suggestions on the car, makes me really confident as
far as the first race is concerned. We have a team that is
able to set up the best possible car for you in a very short
time. What raises our confidence are the technicians, the
data from the wind tunnel, the suspension, the mechanics and
the engine. It might even happen that the data on the track
will be even more encouraging."
The Spanish
driver has no doubts about his relationship with his
teammate: "Felipe and I both race for Ferrari. It is
important that a red car wins. We’ll both give it our all to
improve our performance, we’ll both give 100 percent. I’ve
always had strong teammates and I never had any problems
with then. I have a great relation to all of them and it
won’t be different with Felipe." The role the simulator will
play will be pretty important: “The simulator serves more
and more every year, because the rules allow us less and
less tests on the track. But reality is always different.”
The journalists
were then mainly asking about the 2010 rules and especially
about the fact that refuelling won’t be allowed anymore:
“The new rules will also lead to some changes in our driving
styles. The drivers have to adapt to every situation,
especially during the first laps in the race. Without a warm
up on Sunday we’ll have slower cars at the first brake
points." According to the Spanish driver more details will
be available soon: "We’ll have a more precise idea after the
first test; with the petrol load we can put into the tank
we’ll all have a different load on board. We’ll concentrate
on our work during the tests, without considering the lap
times; we’ll see if we’ll be satisfied with the car or not.”
Alonso also commented on the new points system: "It’s the
same for all. Although as far as I am concerned, I’m a
traditionalist; we’re losing a little bit of the statistics.
Today in the top ten I’m on place four in terms of overall
points in the history of F1. The statistics will get lost
over time, because the drivers will earn more points. But
the sport has to renew itself and they decided like that
because they think that this is the best possible way.”
Answering the question if there will be more or less
overtaking manoeuvres Alonso said: "Nothing will change this
year, you always have to take every opportunity to overtake,
although, knowing nothing about the strategies of the other
teams, the qualifying will be really important.
As far as the
traditional predictions are concerned, Alonso commented:
"Every season is exciting and interesting at the start; even
last year I was very confident. It’s the same this year,
although there are the expectations regarding Schumacher’s
comeback, which is very good for F1, which might be well
received by TV viewers. I think that there will be two teams
fighting for the Drivers’ Title and two for the
Constructors’ Title. Let’s hope we’ll be there. Winning the
title. I’m not making a bet here, right now everything is
too open.”
In the end the
Spanish driver spoke about his dreams he wants to make come
true with Ferrari: “All my dreams in my career came true:
now the one to become a Ferrari driver. 10 years ago I met
Ferrari managers, but back then it was about racing for a
client team, like Prost. Now the feeling is different, I can
almost feel the car in Valencia, it’s very exciting. I hope
to stay here for many years, because if you don’t win the
Championship one year, you don’t have to consider to change
the team.”
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