Australian GP, Disappointed Alonso Ferrari Far Behind

Ferrari, Fernando Alonso.
 
    ALBERT PARK - Fernando Alonso does not believe in the reality faced in qualifying Formula 1 (F1) Australian GP Saturday (26/3/11). In that session, to determine the position during the race on Sunday (27/3/11), Alonso only recorded the best time of 1 minute 24.974 seconds so it must be satisfied in the order of five. He was 1.4 seconds adrift of Red Bull Racing driver who won the pole position, Sebastian Vettel.

Spanish rider was admitted Ferrari is still too conservative and appears in Q3 with just one set of soft tires. In fact, earlier in Q1 they already use one extra tire.

"Today we are not competitive since the exercise," said Alonso told a television crew after qualifying.

"For qualifying, we used a very conservative approach. We know when to take risks, maybe we can be in the order of four. If we are safe, probably in the order of five or six, so this is not the time to take risks in the first series, "said Alonso.

"Unfortunately, we only have one choice in Q3. We try to do the best and the top five become the results as expected before qualifying, "he added.

"We are delighted with this position, but the distance to the pole makes us unhappy. So this is what we should pay attention and analysis tonight, "he said.

2005 and 2006 world champion also claimed the overall grip to be the main thing that makes Ferrari lackluster.

"Yesterday we were good grip and balance overall, but today I and Felipe (Massa) had had less direct. Maybe the track conditions slightly less good, but it must be recognized, other people better than yesterday, "said Alonso.

"We need to understand it better, also the distance from Toro Rosso, Sauber, Renault. We know from winter training and yesterday we were one second in front of them, whereas today only two or three tenths. So, it is clear that there are less with our car, "he said again.

"We will try to do better during the race at Sepang tomorrow and we need to get closer again to the pole," he said.

Nonetheless, Alonso is also confident that Red Bull will not be superior during the race later. Not like when qualifying.

"You never know until the first qualifying session of a season because they are only estimates. Today it is clear that the gap is very large, but yesterday seemed a bit close to them and McLaren. I hope this is not a normal speed and we will be better again tomorrow, "he said.