Ferrari boss pays Alonso tribute
January 11, 2012 14:40:17 UK
Ferrari need to provide Fernando Alonso with a car that can match the Red Bulls.Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has hailed the talents of Fernando Alonso and admits the team need to provide the Spaniard with a competitive car.
Ferrari failed to match Red Bull last season as Alonso sealed just one victory and team-mate Felipe Massa could not muster a solitary podium finish.
McLaren also outscored Ferrari in 2011, with six wins split between drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.
Domenicali believes there is nothing more two-time world champion Alonso can do and insists the emphasis is on Ferrari to provide their star driver with a car capable of challenging at the very top.
Speaking at Ferrari's annual 'Wrooom!' winter retreat in the Italian Dolomites, Domenicali said: "You always expect more and more from everyone, but to be realistic expecting more from Fernando than what he did last year is difficult.
"If he can perform at that level again it would be fantastic. But it has to come from our side and the engineering to make sure we're ahead of the others."
Alonso is 4.50 to land the drivers' title, while Ferrari can be backed at 26.00 to secure constructors' glory.
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Red Bull star Sebastian Vettel is 3.75 to land a third successive drivers' crown and his team are 2.75 to take the Constructors' Championship.
Domenicali hailed Alonso's work ethic and indicated that he feels the 30-year-old will secure the Drivers' Championship if Ferrari can hand him a car with the ability to take on the Red Bulls.
He added: "Fernando really pushed himself over the limit last year. Over the last two years he's spent more time at Maranello (the location of the Ferrari factory) than anyone else in my 20 years with Ferrari. That shows how much it means to him."
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