Saturday: Alonso hopes for a podium for Ferrari

Fernando Alonso – 8th and 4th

The fourth place is the result I’ve achieved the most times in qualifying this season, so I definitely can’t be surprised by this performance. Usually, we’re better in the race than in qualifying, so this grid position can be the basis for a podium finish at the end of the race, which is our real goal for tomorrow afternoon. Fighting for the victory? I think it will be very difficult, even if races often offer surprises this year. I will try to gain places at the start, which should make the race much more interesting. It wasn’t easy to find the right balance on the car this weekend. We made a lot of changes to the setup after each session, and even this morning we weren’t satisfied. But, inexplicably, the car improved in qualifying and was more stable under braking and easier to drive. The high temperatures clearly helped us, otherwise, we wouldn’t have been just a few tenths behind the McLarens after being nearly two seconds behind them in qualifying at Spa. We hope it will be just as hot tomorrow: it would be great to achieve a result for the fans who will be in the stands.

Felipe Massa – 3rd and 6th

« All things considered, it’s a good qualification, even if it wasn’t easy because we knew there were faster cars. The result is pretty much in line with our expectations before the session began. We worked well, trying to fine-tune the car from one session to the next. In Q3, on my last stint, I had a good reference in Michael (Schumacher), but I pushed a bit too hard and lost precious time at the second chicane and Lesmo. Maybe I could have been one or two places ahead, but no more. Tomorrow, I expect a very tight and difficult race. Tire degradation will be one of the keys. As usual, strategy will be decisive, and I hope to do well. It’s an important event for Ferrari, and we want to give our fans something to cheer about. The goal? A place on the podium, but I know it will be very tough ».

Stefano Domenicali

First of all, congratulations to Sebastian who achieved an incredible qualifying lap: what a chance to secure pole on a circuit where they weren’t considered favorites… We tried to give our best, knowing that we didn’t have the best car. The team worked very well during the session, trying to make the most of the package at our disposal. Obviously, we are eager to perform well for our home race: our plan is to play offensively by adopting an attacking style. So far, it has been a very studious weekend in every respect, but we know that the highlight is yet to come.