29/07/2012
NEWS STORY
It was a weekend of damage limitation for Ferrari as it looked to protect Fernando Alonso's lead in the Drivers' Championship going into the summer break. While competitive throughout the weekend the team failed to produce anything like the pace needed to challenge at the front, instead focussing on accumulating as many points as possible.
"I thought Fernando drove a great race," said team boss Stefano Domenicali. "We knew that we were in a defensive mode and to be in front of two cars that were Button and Webber that were faster than us in terms of pure performance is very important."
"We were not competitive and we struggled in the race but thanks to the strategy and to the consistency of the car we managed to finish in a good position," Alonso added. "I think it was more or less all we could do, or even better because to be honest finishing in front of Webber and one position behind Vettel I think is very good for us in terms of the championship."
"We came here knowing it was a difficult Grand Prix for us," Domenicali continued. "Going home having increased the number of points on the second driver in the championship is very, very good."
Felipe Massa also performed well, qualifying less than a tenth of a second slower than his team leader before racing to ninth place, his fifth points scoring finish of the season. However it did nothing to stop the speculation surrounding his possible future with the team, with a host of possible replacements linked with the Brazilian's seat.
"At the moment Felipe has to be protected," said Domenicali. "Of course we need the capability we know is there for the points to try and attack the first place in the Constructors' Championship, and also to take points away in the Drivers' Championship."
"He knows he has some very important races in front of him as a driver but also as a team member of Ferrari."
Domenicali also moved to end speculation, stating that a decision and announcement about its drivers would be made only when the team is ready, and that for the moment there is no rush.
"Maybe you did see in Germany that Zorro was moving around the motorhome looking to sign an agreement with Ferrari," he joked. "We are not in a rush to make any decision or to announce anything."
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