- Ferrari
Alonso: Trophies more important than respect
Fernando Alonso says he takes little satisfaction from the plaudits about his efforts at Ferrari this season as he is not winning races.
In Austria Alonso put in another impressive performance, leading his first laps of the season during the second pit-stop window, but complained after the race he did not have the pace to challenge Felipe Massa for fourth late on. Despite Ferrari's lack of competitiveness compared to its closest rivals, Alonso's consistency means he currently sits fourth in the drivers' championship.
Alonso joined Ferrari in 2010 but has so far failed to add to his two world titles and he says waiting for Ferrari to deliver a car with championship credentials continues to frustrate him.
"Not much," Alonso said when asked if he took satisfaction from getting the most out of his Ferrari. "It's five years like this. There is always satisfaction that everyone believes you are always performing at your best. There's the respect from drivers, team principals and fans for the job that you do. But I prefer to have no respect and to win more trophies."
Despite already writing off a challenge to Mercedes in 2014, Alonso says Ferrari cannot afford to stop fighting this season.
"At the moment we are not in that position so we must try to be a little bit better and try to do more podiums, more wins. Especially in the constructors' this year it will be very tight with Red Bull, Force India and Williams.
"We know that means some extra cash for the year after so it's important to make a lot of points for the team and try to keep the respect from everybody, maybe not from everybody but from as many people as possible."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
