Alonso : "We’re on the right way"

A satisfied Fernando Alonso left the "Circuito Permanente de Velocidad" after two days and almost 1,200 kilometres behind the wheel of the Ferrari single-seater. Today the Spanish driver worked on the car’s set up and simulated a Grand Prix, although he was slowed down by some red flags. In the end he drove a total of 137 laps, his fastest in a time of 1.20.436, behind Jenson Button’s 1.18.871 the Englishman had driven in the morning. Between the two drivers there were Kubica, Kobayashi, Liuzzi and Rosberg.

This gap today and over the eight days of testing don’t worry Fernando at all. "I think that someone showed his muscles today, while we didn’t,’ the Spaniard said at the end of the day. “We’ll see in Barcelona - when we’ll show up with the latest updates – where we are compared to the others. We can say that we’re on the right way. Over these two days on the dry I could drive many miles and I’m satisfied by the car’s performance and reliability. The F10 is growing very well and there’s nothing that should worry us. We worked on the long run today and the signs we got are really positive. Naturally we have to improve, because we’re not at the max, but we’re getting there. Where we have to improve? There’s always something to do, but telling you would mean I’d be like a goalie telling you about his weak point so all the strikers would hit there!"

Alonso will be back on the track next Thursday, 25 February at the "Circuit de Catalunya" near Barcelona, where the fourth and last test session before the start of the 2010 Championship will be held. Fernando will be behind the wheel of the F10 for two days, replaced by Felipe Massa on Saturday and Sunday.

Massa fastest driver in tests in Valencia

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Felipe Massa was the fastest driver on the track on the first day of testing at the Cheste circuit, just outside Valencia. The Brazilian drove the fastest lap in the last minutes of the session, while he had been leading the time sheet with his lap times before. The 1.12.574 taken by Massa for his fastest lap today can’t be judged in absolute terms regarding the competitors, because this year, understanding the fuel loads in the cars, is more difficult than ever. Although it has to be said that this result is a good prelude for the F10 on the day of its debut.

"I’m happy about how it went today,” Felipe said at the end of the test session. “We worked very well and drove many kilometres without any problems. The first impression of the car is really positive: it is easier to drive compared to the F60, we can work better on the set up and last but not least there’s much more grip, which makes it much more pleasant to drive.
Naturally it’s still very early, but it’s a good start. The fastest lap? That doesn’t mean anything, but it’s always good being in the lead! I’m also satisfied with myself. It’s great being back on the track, together with all the others and to see that nothing has changed. I drove over 100 laps and I could have done another 100 from the physical and mental point of view.”

Obviously the first meeting between a driver, who has always been part of the Ferrari family and one who has taken a different road, attracted lots of interest. “I haven’t spoken to Michael yet, but we said hello when I passed him towards the end of the day. It’s very good for Formula 1 that he’s back. It’s strange seeing him with a red helmet in a grey car."

Two where today’s main technical issues: the new tyres and the cars’ behaviour with lots of petrol on board. Felipe said: "I tried the soft compound a lot today and I really liked it, but it’s really too early to draw a conclusion: we have to wait and see how it works with higher temperatures to see the wear. We also drove with different fuel loads and the car was very balanced under all conditions; that’s encouraging!"

The F10's first kilometres in Valencia

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The track had been opened for just one minute at Cheste, near Valencia, when Felipe Massa drove the first metres behind the wheel of the F10, the single-seater employed in the 2010 Championship by the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro. The Brazilian drove 32 laps in the morning, the fastest in a time of 1.13.088, the best so far at 1:30pm. His first impressions are positive, although it is still too early for a serious conclusion.

Schumacher – a competitor to beat

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Ferrari fans all over the world received the news of Schumacher having signed a contract with Mercedes GP and flooded the Ferrari website requesting an opinion regarding the matter. “What we have to say regarding Schumacher has been said by Chairman Montezemolo last week on the occasion of the traditional well-wishing with the Italian and international press,” a Scuderia spokesman said. “We’re giving our warm wishes to Michael: as of today he is our competitor and we’ll give it our all to beat him as we do with all the others.”

Felipe and Fernando, the best couple in F1

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A satisfied Luca di Montezemolo left the Ricardo Tormo di Cheste circuit near Valencia at the end of the show by the Formula 1 single-seaters, the final act at the Finali Mondiali. "I am very satisfied by this day. We were warmheartedly received by the fans and there were numerous clients, who didn’t want to miss this event, coming here from all over the world,” the Ferrari Chairman said. “Things like this make us proud to be part of the Ferrari family, a group of incredible people, who build dream cars and who never give up.”

Naturally Montezemolo made some reference to the next Formula 1 season: “For me Felipe and Fernando are the best drivers couple in Formula 1. I am convinced that they both will be very motivated and will want to win. I am not worried about having two Latin drivers, which may be for the first time in our history. They both know very well that first of all they are racing for Ferrari and not for themselves. I enjoy reminding you that here we have a real team spirit; not just in words but in reality: an example is the relationship we have with a person like Michael Schumacher, who this year didn’t hesitate to be available to help the team in a difficult moment.”

Very happy and very proud

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Fernando Alonso, just announced as the new official Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver, who will drive next to Felipe Massa as of the 2010 season, spoke to Ferrari.com: "I’m very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver. Driving a single-seater from the Prancing Horse is everybody’s dream in this sport and today I have the opportunity to make this dream come true. Above all I want to thank Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who really wanted this 3-year contract. We already had an agreement this summer starting in 2011, but then, the last days, the picture changed and we decided to anticipate my arrival in Maranello by one year.

The years at Renault were fantastic: together we won four World Titles (two Drivers’ and as many Constructors’ Championships) until this day, 21 Grands Prix. I wish the team all the best and let’s hope we gain some good results in the last races this year.

After this season I will put all my effort in the next season: I’m sure that, together with Felipe, we’ll offer Ferrari and the fans from all over the world some great satisfaction. I can’t wait to start working with my new team.”

Domenicali: "Alonso, the right choice for the future"

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As of 2010 Fernando Alonso will be an official Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver as it has been confirmed by today’s press release from Maranello. We spoke to Stefano Domenicali about the choice.

"We’re happy that we made this agreement with Fernando, who is not only a driver of great talent, but also victorious, as he has shown many times throughout his career, also under difficult conditions. His contribution will be very important to bring Ferrari back to the level where it has to be, to fight at the top.”

"How did you come to Alonso?"

“As Chairman Montezemolo said recently, all the great champs want to come to Maranello sooner or later. With Fernando we started talking about a prospective for 2011, but then there were the conditions to anticipate the start of our relationship already as of the upcoming championship, we preferred to take the opportunity.”

“What will the Scuderia’s official formation look like next year?“

“Next to Fernando we’ll have Felipe Massa, who is recovering very quickly to his best physical condition, with Giancarlo Fisichella as the surrogate driver. We believe that this is the best possible couple for a team like ours: Fernando and Felipe are two victorious drivers and they integrate very well with each other and with the team.”

"And Raikkonen? What’s the situation?”

"We spoke with Kimi and agreed to end our contract one year ahead of schedule. The three years together were very intense and successful, culminating with the extraordinary win of the World Championship in 2007 and the decisive contribution to conquering two consecutive Constructors’ titles. This year, although with a car not part of the best on the track, Kimi has shown especially in the second half of the season, what he is able to do: he has given a lot to Ferrari and he received a lot. I’m sure that he will remember this time together with us as one of the most beautiful times in his career, just like we will remember him with affection and admiration as a driver with such extraordinary talent and such an honest, transparent and loyal man deserves.

"What’s the spirit you are going into this last part of the season?”

“We are on the third place in the Constructors’ standings, but we know that it will be difficult to keep it. We’ve seen that there are many teams still developing the cars, while we are putting all our energy in the project for 2010. Furthermore, more than in any other season before, there are many teams fighting for the win, while there are only so many places on the podium. Kimi and Giancarlo have the right stimuli to give it everything in the last three races.

Alonso second Spanish driver in the Scuderia's history

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The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro chooses for the second time in its history a Spanish driver. The first Spanish Scuderia driver can be found in the years 1956 and 1957 when Alfonso De Portago was called to race for the Prancing Horse together with Peter Collins and Jose Froilan Gonzales.

Now it's the time of Fernando Alonso, born in Oviedo (Asturia) on 29 July 1981. After starting racing karts in Spain he became Minardi test driver. In the year 1999 he debuted in the Formula 3000 and two years later in the 2001 Australian Grand Prix in Formula 1, still with Minardi.

The following year he became Renault test driver and official driver in the year 2003, gaining his first pole position (Malaysian GP) and his first victory (Hungarian GP).

With Renault Alonso became World Champion in the years 2005 and 2006.

At the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Alonso will find Marc Genè, test driver since 2005.

Ferrari's connection with Spain has a victorious history: 11 in the history of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 12 pole positions and 14 fastest race laps as well as 30 places on the podium.

Latest news from Brazil

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"Felipe is in excellent form and his recovery is going very well!” These are the latest news on Felipe Massa’s health directly from Brazil given by Stefano Domenicali. The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s Team Principal visited the Brazilian driver at Sao Paulo today. "I’m very happy about Felipe’s state,” Domenicali told www.ferrari.com over the phone. "The medical checks, which have been carried out over the last two weeks continue to be very encouraging. Now it’s important to be patient and take one step at a time, without any hurry.”

While Felipe is recovering in Brazil, tomorrow the Scuderia will take up its work after a two-week break, which had been agreed with the other teams. Over the next three days the team will concentrate on the preparations for the races in Spain and Belgium, which will be held on the last two weekends in August. Next to Kimi Raikkonen Luca Badoer will start into the races, debuting as an official Scuderia driver. Tomorrow and Tuesday Luca will be part of a video shooting for promotional purposes behind the F60’s wheel at the Fiorano race track.