Sunday: Alonso and Ferrari address their Achilles’ heel

Fernando Alonso – 1st and 3rd:

« It’s really good news that we have once again managed a good qualification, which is our Achilles’ heel. This is now the third time this year that we have finished among the top three, and even though Sundays usually go better for us due to our race pace, I am very happy to see our potential already being maximized on Saturday. The data we collected on the long runs on Friday indicate that we can be optimistic for a race where our main competitors will be Vettel in his Red Bull and the Lotuses, which may be behind us on the grid but will still be in the race.

Due to the penalties imposed on Hamilton and Webber, Felipe will start fourth: I think it’s much better that I’m next to my teammate rather than next to Lewis’s Mercedes! We won’t know what the best strategy is until tomorrow, and it’s impossible to make predictions. However, I do think that the best tires for the race will be the Hard ones, and that could work in our favor given that we’ve been the most comfortable with them during the weekend.

Felipe Massa – 11th and 6th [4th on the grid]:

« I am very happy with the result of these qualifications because, in the end, the decision to take a risk in Q3 by choosing a different direction than originally planned proved to be the right one. With the Mediums, I didn’t feel capable of fighting for one of the top three spots: the car had little grip and was struggling a lot at the rear. With the Hard tires, the chances of being ranked lower were extremely high, but I nonetheless chose to keep the tires with which I felt most comfortable. The penalties for the two drivers in front of me – Hamilton and Webber – means I’ve moved up to fourth place on the grid, a starting point that allows me to fight with the leaders. Starting with the Mediums will definitely be an advantage, but to have a good race, it will be vital to find the right strategy and ensure everything runs perfectly. »