Red Bull is strongest - Alonso
Fernando Alonso thinks the Red Bull looks like the fastest car in Barcelona © Getty Images
Fernando Alonso believes Red Bull has the edge over its rivals at the moment, but is predicting a close season at the front of the field.
Sebastian Vettel hinted at Red Bull's one-lap pace during the second day of testing in Barcelona when he notched up the fastest lap on a qualifying-style run. Alonso said there were plenty of variables that could skew the picture in testing but tipped Red Bull as the fastest.
"I still believe that, at the moment the Red Bull is the strongest car, but there are at least four other teams - us, McLaren, Mercedes and Renault - that are capable of fighting for the wins," he said. "It is always very difficult to assess the results from testing: it only takes ten kilos more or less fuel or for worn tyres to be used at any one point in the day, to make a difference that can amount to seconds."
Ferrari's strong point during testing this year has been its reliability, although some doubt was cast over the F150th Italia on Saturday morning when electrical and mechanical issues limited Alonso's running. Alonso said he was not too concerned by the problems, which were both resolved quickly.
"One of the mechanics said to me that when things go well in Barcelona, we don't win the championship, while if we have problems here, then it's a different story: let's hope that's really the case," he added.
Looking ahead to the races this season, Alonso is predicting as many as three or four pit stops due to tyre degradation. The new Pirellis, especially the softer compounds, have been designed to drop in performance after a certain laps in order to mix up strategy and make races more exciting. The final compounds are being used in Barcelona this weekend and Alonso believes they will have the desired effect.
"Here again we saw degradation similar to what we had noticed both in Valencia and Jerez at the first two tests," he said. "If we had to race at the Catalunya Circuit tomorrow, we would need three or even four stops to finish the race, however it will not be just a case of changing the way we tackle the race, but also the entire weekend track time, from free practice through to qualifying.
"Tyre wear will definitely create the best overtaking opportunities: if you find yourself fighting against a driver on tyres that are at the start or the end of their stint, the performance difference could be very big, which would make for overtaking, even more definitely than using KERS and the moveable rear wing."
Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)
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