- Abu Dhabi GP - Race
Emotional Alonso found race start difficult
Fernando Alonso says he found it difficult to pull away on the formation lap as it dawned on him he was starting his final race for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi.
Alonso's five years at Ferrari ended rather ingloriously with a ninth position at Yas Marina, with the Spaniard believed to have signed a contract with McLaren for 2015. For this weekend's race he wore a special helmet and overalls to say goodbye to Ferrari and he says the worst moment was before lights out.
"It was emotional," Alonso said. "The worst moment, to be honest, was the grid when I jumped in the car. I fired up the engine and the mechanics stayed there with the blankets until the last minute, with 20 seconds to go, I saw the faces of the two guys with the front tyres and they were looking at me with shiny eyes. It was tough to put the car into first gear and start the formation lap."
Even though he failed to add to his two world championships at Maranello Alonso rates his time at Ferrari as some of the best years of his life.
"From one to ten I think I will give these five years a nine. I know that seems high but that's my opinion. Everyone will have their opinion but I enjoyed it so much. I grew up as a driver, as a person, and worked with amazing people here. I raced with the heart and raced at the best level of my career."
Alonso briefly diced with Button, whose McLaren he may be driving in 2015, but he says his race pace meant a higher finish was impossible.
"I passed Jenson out of the pit lane, he was coming out and I had the chance to pass him with DRS. One lap later he had DRS and he passed me again. Then he disappeared so I had no chance to keep that pace."
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