As Fernando Alonso admits that nothing has really changed at Ferrari since the sacking of Stefano Domenicali, the frustration is evident.

A year since his last win, and most of the opinion that it could be as long again (or more) until the next, the two-time world champion, not known for his tact, is looking increasingly despondent.

Indeed, as one ponders the current situation at Ferrari one cannot help but recall when Alain Prost was fired by the Italian team after daring to criticise it, a move that appeared to confirm that the Maranello outfit had finally lost the plot.

Brought into the get the team back in shape, the fact is that outwardly Marco Mattiacci appears bewildered, as though he too wonders what the hell he is doing in the F1 paddock as opposed to the 'easy' job of running the company's North American operations.

While it has only been a month since Domenicali was shown the door, Alonso admits that, in his opinion, nothing appears to have changed.

Not much to be honest," he replied when asked what had changed under Mattiacci's leadership. "I don't think it's going to happen soon. He's still learning about the team situation, the F1 environment, the F1 weekends.

"There are a lot of things to learn and he wants to get some experience before making any decisions that at the moment he will not take."

Having admitted that when first offered the job he thought it was an April fool joke, all eyes are on Mattiacci, who, in the opinion of many, has inherited one of the worst jobs in Formula One. Restructuring the business side of Ferrari must seem an absolute doddle compared to the intensity of life at the F1 coalface.

Meanwhile, Alonso, who faces seeing his former teammate Lewis Hamilton take his second title, tries to put a brave face on things, as he tries to justify Mattiacci's apparent lack of impact.

"Probably it was expected not to have any change in the first month, because he still does not have the experience," he sighed.

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Chris Balfe