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Ferrari 'more confident' ahead of Barcelona - Montezemolo

Luca di Montezemolo: "I got a shock from the way we started, as I was not expecting it" © Getty Images

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Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo admits that the poor start to the season was a "shock", but says the team is now "more confident" ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Having designed a new car for 2012 that was a radical departure from last year's F150th Italia, Ferrari soon admitted that the car was off the pace and that it would struggle in the opening races of the season. Montezemolo said that he had been caught off-guard by the lack of performance but was satisfied having won a race already and had noticed a renewed optimism in the team following the Mugello test.

"I got a shock from the way we started, as I was not expecting it," Montezemolo said. "I had in mind a different scenario. There have been four races and we have won one of them. So we are thereabouts and now we have to make a leap forward in terms of quality to have a more competitive car. I have noticed the engineers seem more confident and now we will see what happens in Spain."

Having previously complained about how the current regulations put an emphasis on aerodynamics, Montezemolo admitted that the team could have been guilty of not recruiting enough externally.

"I have said to those around me that maybe we have been too engrossed in ourselves in Maranello, without seeing what is going on around us, without bringing in some fresh air from other sources. These regulations which mistakenly make aerodynamics the key factor in determining who wins or loses, have convinced us to bring into the team some greater experience in this area of aerodynamics to try and change this situation."

Fernando Alonso is also buoyed by the Mugello test and says that the team's focus remains on challenging for titles.

"We have significant updates for Spain, as indeed will our competitors and that means we have to think it will not be easy," Alonso said. "We are not in an easy situation and we know we must do our best. However, the aim is to fight right down to the last lap. We will bring new parts, we will never give up and our aim is to win the World Championship."

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