Fernando Alonso is expecting a positive return to racing in 2012, having triumphed in only one Grand Prix last year. After narrowly missing out on the title in 2010, last season saw the Spaniard and Ferrari pick up only a single race victory; with this in mind, the Scuderia is staying realistic as the new campaign edges ever closer.
Ferrari’s single 2011 win came at Silverstone, making the most of Alonso’s rapid pace and a clever strategy to avoid another Red Bull one-two result. Heading into the new season, he continues to keep a close eye on his chief rivals.
“I expect a good comeback from the team,” Alonso said during Ferrari’s annual pre-season gathering at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy. “I think we have been working quite well on the 2012 car, with some good changes and a different approach – a little bit more aggressive and more determination from everybody in the team to get everything right.
“I think we have taken care with every detail we can to do well and I am confident that we can do well, but there is no doubt that the competitors are very strong and it is not like they have just been watching TV over these days. There are some good ideas inside the car and everything is designed to be looking for maximum performance - I don’t think that is any different to any other team, though. We need to be honest with ourselves; we know that we are Ferrari and we know that we are fighting to be on the top level, with our sponsors and everyone expecting Ferrari to win.”
He went on to stress that, with no less than six World Champions on the grid, the 2012 F1 season promises to be an all-time classic for race fans.
“I think the spectators are going to enjoy watching this championship on TV and I think we’re going to have some good Sunday races with great emotion,” Alonso continued. “If we are happy with second, third or fourth it is okay and we have done a good job, but that is not our target in February.
“Our target is always to be Champion. We know it will not be easy and that we will face things during the year, but in November we want to be Champions so hopefully we can do it.”
Since picking up his second consecutive crown in 2006, Alonso has endured five seasons – one with McLaren and two each with Renault and Ferrari - without collecting another title.
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