• Japanese Grand Prix

Alonso feels Raikkonen is no quicker than Massa

ESPN Staff
October 10, 2013 « Maldonado expects to stay at Williams | New chassis for Webber in Japan »
Fernando Alonso: "In terms of the speed I think Felipe [Massa] is not any slower" © Getty Images
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Fernando Alonso doesn't believe the arrival of Kimi Raikkonen will enhance Ferrari compared to its current driver line-up.

Having written off Alonso's title chances for 2013, Ferrari's attentions are turning to its position in the constructors' championship and assault on 2014. With Raikkonen replacing Felipe Massa next season, Alonso was asked what he thinks the team can achieve with such a strong pairing but said Massa is just as quick and once again both drivers will be dependent on the car that Ferrari delivers.

"For next year, with Kimi I think we can do a very good championship for Ferrari, trying to again score as many points as possible," Alonso said. "But I think in terms of the speed I think Felipe is not any slower, when they were racing together Felipe was as quick as Kimi anyway, so if we have a competitive car we will enjoy the season and we will do very good things. If we don't have a competitive car it will be very similar to this season I think."

Asked what his approach to the rest of 2013 will be, Alonso said the focus will be on beating Mercedes to second place in the constructors'.

"For the remaining races we will try to do our best, try to score as many points as possible understanding that the championship is nearly impossible. So we will try to enjoy the races but attack all the time and fight for the constructors' championship. There are very few points between us and Mercedes so we need to keep pushing on that and try to get second. Also Lotus recovered some points in Korea so we need to score - Felipe and me - as many points as possible in the remaining races."

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