Ferrari: We still have plenty of work to do 26 Oct 2010
With Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso moving into the lead of the drivers’ standings following his win in Korea at the weekend, the mood at the Italian team’s Maranello factory couldn’t be better. But amidst the traditional post-victory celebrations, President Luca di Montezemolo has urged everybody in the squad to remain fully focused on the season’s final two rounds.
“First of all, I want to congratulate and thank you all, because this great fight back is down to you,” said Montezemolo. “In these last few races, we have seen Ferrari working perfectly. We are just a team that never surrenders. However, we have not actually won anything yet. Each one of us must aim for pole in our own roles, going about our business in a level-headed fashion, with concentration and determination, and then we can add up the figures in Abu Dhabi.”
After a slow start to the 2010 season, Ferrari have been on the ascendancy recently, scoring 166 points over the last six races. But while Alonso has crept into the lead of the drivers’ standings - he heads Red Bull’s Mark Webber by 11 points - Ferrari are still third in the constructors’ championship, trailing Red Bull by 52 points, 374 to 426. McLaren, meanwhile, lie in second on 399.
With so much still at stake, team principal Stefano Domenicali was just as keen as Montezemolo for Ferrari to guard against complacency and concentrate on the fight for both world championships.
“Now comes the hard part,” added Domenicali. “Over the next three weeks, we have to do everything perfectly - reliability, the work at the track and at home, and preparation for the races. I have always said that this year, keeping a cool head is what will make the difference and we must not get carried away with the words of praise, just as we did not get downhearted by the criticism in the most difficult moments. We should leave unguarded enthusiasm at the door.”
Ferrari's next challenge, the Brazilian Grand Prix, takes place on November 5-7.
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