MARANELLO: A revitalised Fernando Alonso said on Friday that Ferrari are more than capable of winning both championships this year and expects a much smoother time during his second year with the team. Although the Spaniard lost a potential third world drivers' title in the final race of the 2010 season in Abu Dhabi, Alonso insisted his first year at Ferrari could still be considered a successful one and backed his team to go all the way in 2011.
"I am really motivated, really excited," Alonso said at the official launch of Ferrari's 2011 car.
"2010 was an incredible year for me, the first year with Ferrari and I discovered a wonderful team, wonderful environment and really passionate for a driver.
"I think I know the team better now, I know the names of the mechanics, something I didn't last year because the beginning of the year was not easy for me.
"So I am far more integrated in the team and the feeling that has been carried out through 2010 contributed to the creation of the new one, which is more comfortable."
Alonso said he is looking forward to the new challenges presented by the rule changes made after the 2010 season, which namely affect aerodynamics, and is confident that Ferrari's new car will be very competitive.
"With new challenges, changes in the regulations and also the drivers have to adapt to the new driving style and the recovery of KERS for instance. It will be a new year, a difficult year and we will have a lot to learn.
"But this new car is the fruit of the result of many months of work of our mechanics, engineers and people working for Ferrari, and it's important to prepare for the new season. We have to commit completely in what we do and we are ready. We are up to the challenge."
His Ferrari team-mate, Brazilian Felipe Massa, is sure he is still capable of mounting a serious title challenge despite playing second fiddle to Alonso during the latter stages of last season.
"I am not so old now - I still have some years waiting for me," Massa said at the Ferrari launch.
"It is very important for us and I am very motivated and excited, I have followed the development of the car up until the first race and therefore I really am willing to start this New Year.
"It seems that since the end of last year there was a lot of time, but time goes quickly, working on a car is not a simple deed," he said. "I think that with the strength of our work we have a competitive car from the first race."
