• Bahrain Grand Prix - FP2

Ferrari won't chase track - Alonso

ESPNF1 Staff
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Fernando Alonso was eighth in FP2, but 1.6s off the pace © Getty Images
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Fernando Alonso said that Ferrari won't base its setup on its findings from Friday's practice sessions because the track will evolve significantly over the weekend.

With the current track layout not having been used since 2009 and the circuit's desert location leading to sand finding its way on to the surface, grip levels were extremely low on Friday. Having finished the second session in eighth place, Alonso said that it was difficult to read in to the data gathered as it may not prove relevant on Sunday.

"The first day of the Bahrain Grand Prix is always very difficult, because the track conditions are never at their best, mainly because of the sand and wind," Alonso said. "On top of that, this track is used only very rarely, which adds to making Friday hard to interpret, maybe more so than other places. That is why basing all your choices in terms of set-up on what one has seen today is not always the right move, because we need to bear in mind that the track will change a lot between now and Sunday."

Alonso added that the rear end of the F2012 was where the team would be focusing its attentions on Saturday.

"We tried as best we could to check the tyre behaviour: we have the same ones as in Shanghai, but the temperature is very different. There is still a lot to do, especially on the rear end, to try and find more grip."

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