• Australian Grand Prix

I've been focusing on race pace - Alonso

ESPNF1 Staff
March 27, 2010 « Driver reaction after qualifying | »
Fernando Alonso is confident of a strong showing on Sunday © Sutton Images
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Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is confident that his focus on race preparations over the weekend will pay dividends on Sunday.

Alonso qualified third but was the only driver who looked capable of challenging the Red Bulls for pole. He finished just under two tenths off Vettel's new lap record, but said his practice sessions had been devoted to optimising his car for a long and action packed race.

"It's not a surprise because I was not expecting a clear order," he said when asked whether he expected to be behind the Red Bulls. "Friday's times mean really nothing because with a different fuel load that we have this year everyone can have different preparation for this weekend. Yesterday I was 15th, so we were preparing for the race compared to our competitors a little bit more. Tomorrow the race is long, so we'll try to finish the race on the podium like Bahrain, and we want to keep scoring points. There will be a long race, with safety cars, accidents, problems and it will be very tough."

However, he admitted he could not predict whether his Ferrari will have the race pace to win on Sunday.

"First we need to finish the race and then see if we are quick to win the race or not," he said. "I'm extremely happy with a place in the top three, but this is the start of the weekend and tomorrow is the real job."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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