Greenbkk.com Fernando Alonso | Alonso to start from fourth, with all options open

Alonso to start from fourth, with all options open

14/9/2011

The Spaniard's Ferrari experienced problems during the end of free practice and some of the qualifying session, although Alonso once again worked his magic to position his car on the second row of the grid, with a podium finish in his sights at Monza.

Fernando Alonso once again achieved the best possible result at Monza after a Saturday when nothing proved straightforward. Ferrari decided before free practice to make some modifications to the car's set-up which failed to bear fruit. The Spaniard once again had serious problems with his brakes, while the medium compound tyres did not perform as expected. There is reason for hope, however, as his teammate, Felipe Massa, was towards the head of the pack.

The entire team of mechanics and engineers found themselves in a race against time to transform the F150° Italia into a truly competitive car. Further pressure was heaped on the whole team with the arrival of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, spurring them all on to achieve success at their home Grand Prix.

The qualifying session finally began at a Monza circuit bathed in red. Discretion was the watchword during Q1, which saw Alguersuari, Trulli, Kovalainen, Glock, D'Ambrosio, Ricciardo and Liuzzi fall by the wayside. Little by little the Spaniard drew closer to the fastest times, although Vettel's absolute dominance continued. All efforts focused on the final round, which took place after the elimination of Di Resta, Sutil, Barrichello, Maldonado, Pérez, Buemi and Kobayashi.

Fernando was soon out on the track in Q3. The pace demonstrated by McLaren and Red Bull was once again the hallmark, along with the surprise involvement of Mercedes. Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, was quite sure of his chances, and so was the grandstand. In the end he achieved the best possible finish: a place on the second row of the grid in fourth position, leaving him with a chance of a podium spot.

"Red Bull is the best car there's ever been"

Alonso said that "winning will be difficult, you have to be realistic. We have not been quick enough so far this weekend, and so I feel that a podium place would be a good reward," explained Alonso.

Credit: Fernando Alonso (www.fernandoalonso.com)