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MONTE CARLO, Monaco - Ferrari's Formula 1 title contender Fernando Alonso has played down his chances of winning the 2013 Monaco GP after qualifying on Row 3 here on Saturday.
He will line up sixth, next to Lotus rival Kimi Raikkonen, behind the two Mercedes - which swept the front row with Nico Rosberg on pole - and two Red Bulls.
"I think it's going to be difficult," Alonso told reporters. "Nothing is impossible in F1 but it's going to be very unlikely that we'll fight for the victory tomorrow."
HOPING FOR SOLID POINTS
The double World champion is third overall in the championship, 17 points behind Red Bull's leader Sebastian Vettel, and Monaco's tight and twisty street circuit is a tough track on which to overtake.
Alonso can at least hope to bank some solid points, unlike team mate Felipe Massa who will start right at the back after a car-destroying crash in final practice. It could not be rebuilt in time for qualifying.
Massa was unhurt but was experiencing some muscular back pain. He blamed a bump on the track for the incident that pitched the Ferrari into the guard rail on the pits straight and then nose-first into the energy-absorbing plastic barrier at Devote corner.
All four corners of the car were destroyed (see the car).
"When I braked I touched the bump and maybe the car touched the ground and I locked both front wheels, which is not an easy thing to happen," he told reporters. "I hit the guard rail on the left and then it was just waiting for the wall to arrive, which is not a nice feeling."
Despite the prospect of a hard afternoon on Sunday, Massa refused to give up all hope.
"It is the worst track on which to have this problem but we need to be positive," he said. "It's also a track where many things happen during the race. Maybe you have many safety cars. You need to be prepared...."
Good Scout!
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 Monaco F1 GP weekend.
He will line up sixth, next to Lotus rival Kimi Raikkonen, behind the two Mercedes - which swept the front row with Nico Rosberg on pole - and two Red Bulls.
"I think it's going to be difficult," Alonso told reporters. "Nothing is impossible in F1 but it's going to be very unlikely that we'll fight for the victory tomorrow."
HOPING FOR SOLID POINTS
The double World champion is third overall in the championship, 17 points behind Red Bull's leader Sebastian Vettel, and Monaco's tight and twisty street circuit is a tough track on which to overtake.
Alonso can at least hope to bank some solid points, unlike team mate Felipe Massa who will start right at the back after a car-destroying crash in final practice. It could not be rebuilt in time for qualifying.
Massa was unhurt but was experiencing some muscular back pain. He blamed a bump on the track for the incident that pitched the Ferrari into the guard rail on the pits straight and then nose-first into the energy-absorbing plastic barrier at Devote corner.
All four corners of the car were destroyed (see the car).
"When I braked I touched the bump and maybe the car touched the ground and I locked both front wheels, which is not an easy thing to happen," he told reporters. "I hit the guard rail on the left and then it was just waiting for the wall to arrive, which is not a nice feeling."
Despite the prospect of a hard afternoon on Sunday, Massa refused to give up all hope.
"It is the worst track on which to have this problem but we need to be positive," he said. "It's also a track where many things happen during the race. Maybe you have many safety cars. You need to be prepared...."
Good Scout!
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 Monaco F1 GP weekend.