FERRARI BELIEVE THE race for this year’s Formula One constructors’ title is still wide open despite gaining ground over rival teams in yesterday’s British Grand Prix.
Spaniard Fernando Alonso settled for second after a late charge from Silverstone race-winner Mark Webber of Red Bull, while his Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa finished fourth.
That meant the Italian outfit secured 30 points, gaining vital ground in the constructors’ championship standings. Ferrari are now second, 64 points behind Red Bull, and the title could come down to a two-horse race between them unless rival teams quickly improve their performance.
However, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali remains convinced Lotus and McLaren — third and fourth respectively — are still worthy contenders.
“If we look at the situation of Silverstone, with the first four cars, it means we have done a step in the right direction from the performance point of view. But it is a very open championship,” he said.
“I don’t believe honestly that the others will stay behind. I am sure McLaren will fight to come back, and the others are very close. I was impressed by the pace of Lotus. If you look at (Romain) Grosjean, if you look at the first lap he pitted and then he finished sixth. So the field is very tight.”
Domenicali added that it was important for his team to continue working hard and admitted he would not be content until they had produced the fastest car on the grid.
“With such a tight competition, if you are behind in one area then it will be a problematic end to the season,” he said. ”I’m happy to see that the people are concentrated on the job, do not care what [distraction] is all around, and stay concentrated.
“I’m not happy, and [will not be] up to the moment when really our car will be the strongest. At the moment we are not there, but we are getting very close,” he added.
