• Belgian Grand Prix - FP2

Alonso plays down Friday pace at Spa

Fernando Alonso is playing his cards close to his chest after topping the lap times in both sessions © Getty Images

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• Report:
• Alonso maintains form to finish fastest at drying Spa
  
• News:
• Alonso tips Red Bull for Spa glory
  

• Race:
• Belgian Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Fernando Alonso
• |
• Felipe Massa

• Teams:
• Ferrari

Fernando Alonso said it was too early to read anything into Friday's lap times after the Ferrari driver finished top of both free practice sessions at Spa.

Alonso backed up his pace in the torrential rain of the morning session by remaining at the top of the lap times as the track dried out in the second session.

"The impression one gets on Friday does not always get confirmed on Saturday and Sunday, therefore we have to evaluate today's results with a lot of care," said Alonso. "Having said that, it has definitely been a positive day, because the car seems to respond well in all track conditions that we encountered today. The times count for little, or nothing at all, because when the track changes so quickly, times can improve or get worse by two or three seconds depending on the moment when you are out on the circuit."

With inclement weather set to play a part for the remainder of the weekend, Alonso predicts a few more twists and turns before the champagne corks are popped on Sunday.

"I think the weather will play a key part, both tomorrow and on Sunday: anything could happen. We tried to test all the new components we have here. If the track was to be dry tomorrow, then we must try and improve our set-up, because obviously it is not yet at its best for these conditions, given that we only had a few minutes to test on slick tyres. In fact, I felt the car was a bit nervous, while in the wet it was easier to drive. When thinking about going for pole position, first of all we will have to see what the weather is doing: for sure if it was to rain we will go out immediately because you always learn from bad experiences…"

Felipe Massa, who finished fifth quickest in the second session, echoed his team-mates sentiments that it would be difficult to know where the team stands until after qualifying.

"It is only Friday, so we will have to wait to see how the Red Bulls go, given that so far they have proved to be the quickest cars, as demonstrated in qualifying," said Massa. "We had so many things to test today, which explains a few slow laps this afternoon. On the intermediate tyres I immediately had good grip, but even on slicks the situation was not that bad. On the final lap, the only one on the soft tyres, I made a mistake, but the car felt good: obviously there is room for improvement and that is what we will try and achieve tomorrow."

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