SEPANG, Malaysia - A bright spot on Fernando Alonso's 2014 Formula 1 season so far is that he is beating Ferrari team mate Kimi Raikkonen.
The impending rivalry between the two F1 Champions was a big talking point of ahead of the season. After two races in 2014 Raikkonen appears to be struggling with the handling of Ferrari's new car.
In Malaysia, Alonso once again outqualified and outraced his team mate.
TRUMPING KIMI
Alonso said: "I would prefer to have won in Australia and Malaysia but as long as you are in front of your team mate, you are doing something extra compared to the expectations of people.
Raikkonen did not want to compare his current situation to 2009, when he also struggled in a Ferrari and was ousted at the end of the season: "I have no desire to make comparisons like that and it doesn't change anything anyway.
"For sure it has not been an ideal start, but we improved the car for Malaysia and the weekend started well even if it finished badly."
Raikkonen’s race was affected by a clash with Kevin Magnussen.
Raikkonen is hoping for another improvement in Bahrain: "Without the crash I see no reason why I shouldn't have done the same as Alonso."
"We're getting some new parts that should help me, at least that is the plan. The front end should feel better."
WOLFF FEARS RED BULL, FERRARI
Meanwhile, Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff says he expects Ferrari to eventually join Red Bull in chasing down Mercedes' current advantage.
Wolff said: "I very much fear their (Red Bull's) recovery on a technical level, it has been impressive and I also fear Ferrari, of course."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Bahrain GP
The impending rivalry between the two F1 Champions was a big talking point of ahead of the season. After two races in 2014 Raikkonen appears to be struggling with the handling of Ferrari's new car.
In Malaysia, Alonso once again outqualified and outraced his team mate.
TRUMPING KIMI
Alonso said: "I would prefer to have won in Australia and Malaysia but as long as you are in front of your team mate, you are doing something extra compared to the expectations of people.
Raikkonen did not want to compare his current situation to 2009, when he also struggled in a Ferrari and was ousted at the end of the season: "I have no desire to make comparisons like that and it doesn't change anything anyway.
"For sure it has not been an ideal start, but we improved the car for Malaysia and the weekend started well even if it finished badly."
Raikkonen’s race was affected by a clash with Kevin Magnussen.
Raikkonen is hoping for another improvement in Bahrain: "Without the crash I see no reason why I shouldn't have done the same as Alonso."
"We're getting some new parts that should help me, at least that is the plan. The front end should feel better."
WOLFF FEARS RED BULL, FERRARI
Meanwhile, Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff says he expects Ferrari to eventually join Red Bull in chasing down Mercedes' current advantage.
Wolff said: "I very much fear their (Red Bull's) recovery on a technical level, it has been impressive and I also fear Ferrari, of course."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Bahrain GP