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MUGELLO, Italy - Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso believes the team will be much closer to its Formula 1 rivals at the Spanish Grand Prix after testing in Mugello, Italy.
The Italian team has struggled with its 2012 car in the first four races of the season despite Alonso winning the Malaysian GP. Ferrari tested a new aerodynamic package at Mugello.
Alonso said: "I cannot say if we have made up ground but in Barcelona we will have more important updates and hope that there we can begin to close the gap that separates us from the teams at the top.
'NO MAGIC BUTTON'
"Barcelona will be a key moment in the season, but not decisive. It's not that we will suddenly find ourselves back on pole - there's no magic button. We must start by no longer struggling to get through to Q3 (third and final phase of qualifying) and get closer to the top six, then continue with development in the following races."
Alonso completed 98 laps on the final day of testing at the Ferrari-owned circuit with the third best time behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Lotus' Romain Grosjean, who was fastest for the second day running.
Alonso will be at Ferrari's Fiorano test track on May 8 for an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Canadian Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve before heading to Barcelona. Villeneuve's son Jacques, the 1997 World champion, will drive his father's 1979 car at Fiorano.
Ferrari is fourth overall in the Constructors' standings and Alonso fifth on the Drivers' log, 10 points behind World champion and current leader Vettel.
Alonso went off track, damaging the car's nose and losing two and a half hours of track time as the team repaired the damage.
The Italian team has struggled with its 2012 car in the first four races of the season despite Alonso winning the Malaysian GP. Ferrari tested a new aerodynamic package at Mugello.
Alonso said: "I cannot say if we have made up ground but in Barcelona we will have more important updates and hope that there we can begin to close the gap that separates us from the teams at the top.
'NO MAGIC BUTTON'
"Barcelona will be a key moment in the season, but not decisive. It's not that we will suddenly find ourselves back on pole - there's no magic button. We must start by no longer struggling to get through to Q3 (third and final phase of qualifying) and get closer to the top six, then continue with development in the following races."
Alonso completed 98 laps on the final day of testing at the Ferrari-owned circuit with the third best time behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Lotus' Romain Grosjean, who was fastest for the second day running.
Alonso will be at Ferrari's Fiorano test track on May 8 for an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Canadian Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve before heading to Barcelona. Villeneuve's son Jacques, the 1997 World champion, will drive his father's 1979 car at Fiorano.
Ferrari is fourth overall in the Constructors' standings and Alonso fifth on the Drivers' log, 10 points behind World champion and current leader Vettel.
Alonso went off track, damaging the car's nose and losing two and a half hours of track time as the team repaired the damage.