Unrepentant Ferrari target Hungarian success 28 Jul 2010
They may be racing under the cloud of possible further sanctions from the FIA after their controversial one-two result in Germany, but Ferrari are determined to stay upbeat ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian race.
Fernando Alonso claimed victory in Hockenheim after he swept past team mate Felipe Massa for the lead on Lap 49. After the race the Italian squad were fined US$100,000 and referred to the World Motor Sport Council for the orchestrated manoeuvre, which was deemed to have breached the sporting regulations.
Despite the ensuing media storm, Alonso is unapologetic about the manner of his victory and is instead thankful the team is back to winning form after he had to wait 10 races to follow up his success at the season opener in Bahrain back in March.
“All wins are special,” he explained in his blog on Ferrari’s official website. “Winning is a great feeling and that was the case in Hockenheim, especially when I think of the huge workload undertaken by everyone at Maranello to achieve this fantastic one-two finish. No one ever gave up and I know how pleased they were to see two Ferraris cross the line ahead of all our rivals.
“For over a month now we have been saying that we had to get back to winning at least once before the summer break and finally, we did it. We did not have much luck in some races and, because of unusual incidents, we did not pick up the points we deserved. There was a slight feeling of frustration with this lack of results, but at last in Germany, for once we had a normal race on a weekend when he had no problems whatsoever and the result was there for all to see.”
With just a week between the German event and Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, the Spaniard is resolved to make the Hockenheim win count as they target more points - and a stronger position in the title fight at the forthcoming races.
“The win does not change my approach to the rest of the season,” he added. “We knew before Hockenheim that our car was much more competitive and that was what made me so confident. Now we must continue in this direction, starting this coming weekend in Budapest. I have already said it many times before: there is still a long way to go in the championship."
Massa is just as hopeful about the F10’s pace at Budapest, although the Brazilian’s return to Hungary will be significant for entirely different reasons. A year ago his accident during qualifying for the 2009 race left him so seriously injured he was ruled out of racing for the rest of the season.
“Going back to Budapest will be a very special weekend for me,” the Brazilian told Ferrari’s official website. “My first meeting when I arrive at the Hungaroring circuit will be with all the marshals and medical staff who did such a very good job of carefully getting me out of the cockpit. I want to thank these people, with whom I now feel a special bond. I had to stay in hospital for a week after the accident and I got to know the staff, who all treated me so well and one unusual result of the whole unfortunate episode is that I know I now have a lot more fans in Hungary.”
Massa lies eighth in the driver standings on 85 points, 38 behind fifth-placed team mate Alonso. Ferrari are third in the constructors’ championship with 208 points, 64 behind Red Bull and 92 adrift of leaders McLaren.
