Ferrari bosses are edgy

Ferrari team chief Stefano Domenicali was all smiles after seeing Fernando Alonso take second place behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel at the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix.

 

Domenicali, who had been under pressure following the team's disappointing run of results, said he felt some relief but wanted to see a more positive reaction from the team.

 

Alonso, without a win since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix in May, jumped from ninth on the grid to finish on the podium while team mate Felipe Massa, in danger of losing his seat in 2014, finished seventh.


Alonso's second placing in a race he has not won despite his 32 victories was Ferrari's first podium finish in the race since Kimi Raikonen won with Ferrari in 2009.

 

The result was also a relief for Alonso as it comes after he was rebuked publicly by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo after the driver joked he would like a more competitive car for his 32nd birthday.


 

Domenicali said: "It was a great start by Fernando, he was very close to everyone, but he managed to use his driver's skill. We have just come from a difficult month where we did not improve the car. We had to react to the situation.

 

"The qualifying was not the real performance and at the race, we saw the car improve. At the 2012 Italian Grand Prix (the next race on the 2013 calendar) we were strong so the speed is there and we need to keep the gap.

 

"I want to see the reaction of my people.  Inside all is very clear. I'm totally focused and the drivers know what they have to do. If they don't, they know where the door is. I will be the happiest man if we're able to win and I push my people so we can do it."

 

Reuters