Alonso: There are 150 points up for grabs

Fernando Alonso was well below par at the Belgian Grand Prix

Sep.1 (Ferrari) For the first time since joining Ferrari, Fernando Alonso is feeling the wrath of the Italian media after his below par perfomance at the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. The honeymoon has come to an end and he is starting to feel the heat of expectation that is part of being a Maranello driver.

Fernando starting to feel the heat of expectation

The two times world champion remains in contention for the title, albeit a long shot, despite his Spa-Francorchamps showing. He will be racing at Monza for the first time in Ferrari colours starting on 10 September.

Alonso reflects on his race this past weekend, “It was not the Belgian Grand Prix we were expecting, that’s for sure. I think the key moment in my race came on the very first lap. I had made a good start and made up a few places. The car was responding well and there was every chance of finishing up on the podium. Unfortunately, I had to come back to the pits almost immediately and that changed everything.”

He added, “Even though I climbed up the order, I only found myself back in the points because a handful of cars ahead of me retired: that explains what a difficult race it was. I could have done without going off the track, but it did not make a great difference: the rain meant that any chance I had of making up some places through our strategy evaporated.”

Fernando on the podium after his last win in Germany

Alonso believes the root of the problem to be, “It seems that this year, the opening laps have not gone too well for me: in five races out of thirteen, I have found myself slipping to the back, either because of our own mistakes or because of circumstances beyond our control, as was the case in Belgium.”

The Spaniard is hoping that his luck changes, “”I have always said – and I repeat it now – that in the course of the season, good luck and bad luck tend to balance one another out, so let’s hope that from now on it’s payback time!”

Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber got the most of the race at Spa, while Alonso and the other two title contenders Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel left the Ardennes empty handed, “Going into these seven races, I had said that whoever did the best job in them would take the title: clearly, there are now three of us who need to make up for ground lost in Spa.”

The tifosi will be expecting at Monza

Credit to Alonso he still has hope, “With this points system and the way races swing one way or another, I am convinced we still have a significant chance. There are 150 points up for grabs, enough to turn the situation around. We must remain calm and concentrate, to try and make up the difference as soon as possible.”

There will be big pressure at Monza, as always for Ferrari, and Alonso will be tasting the frenzy for the first time as a Maranello driver, “There is no denying that the Monza race will be very important. At our home circuit we will have to do everything to avoid losing any more points: a good result here would be a great boost. If things go badly, it won’t be over but it would be a hard knock for team morale.”

Alonso looks forward to his weekend on his team’s home soil, “Racing at Monza for the first time as a Ferrari driver will definitely be a nice feeling. Our team is made up of 95% Italians and you can feel the passion and the will to do well for this special event. I can’t wait to be there and look forward to seeing the grandstands packed with fans: we need their support.”