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LONDON, England - Fernando Alonso believes Ferrari can still be a 2014 title contender despite the Italian glamour team's disappointing start to the F1 season.
Alonso was ninth in Sunday's Bahrain GP (April 6), one place ahead of team mate Kimi Raikkonen, after fourths in Australia and Malaysia. Ferrari is fifth in the Constructors' standings.
Mercedes has meanwhile streaked into the distance with three pole starts and three wins, including two consecutive 1-2 finishes for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
16 races remain, China is next on April 20.
'STILL EARLY'
Alonso, twice F1 champion with Renault, said after the Bahrain race: "Although we did all we could, we can't be happy with our level of performance. Now our focus must be on working day and night.
"The season is in its early stages and I think we can recover. We have the resources and the potential."
Ferrari will test for two days at the Bahrain circuit today and tomorrow (April 8/9 2014) with Alonso saying the team has an aggressive programme lined up for Shanghai.
Technical head Pat Fry said the car lacked straight-line speed at Sakhir (the Bahrain track) and the drivers had to drive defensively to finish in the points.
Fry said: "In Maranello (Ferrari HQ) we are working to ensure better power delivery and better driveability. We are also trying to improve the efficiency of the car's aerodynamics.
"The data we acquired from Sunday's race will provide a baseline for the major checking programme we have planned for the Sakhir test."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
Alonso was ninth in Sunday's Bahrain GP (April 6), one place ahead of team mate Kimi Raikkonen, after fourths in Australia and Malaysia. Ferrari is fifth in the Constructors' standings.
Mercedes has meanwhile streaked into the distance with three pole starts and three wins, including two consecutive 1-2 finishes for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
16 races remain, China is next on April 20.
'STILL EARLY'
Alonso, twice F1 champion with Renault, said after the Bahrain race: "Although we did all we could, we can't be happy with our level of performance. Now our focus must be on working day and night.
"The season is in its early stages and I think we can recover. We have the resources and the potential."
Ferrari will test for two days at the Bahrain circuit today and tomorrow (April 8/9 2014) with Alonso saying the team has an aggressive programme lined up for Shanghai.
Technical head Pat Fry said the car lacked straight-line speed at Sakhir (the Bahrain track) and the drivers had to drive defensively to finish in the points.
Fry said: "In Maranello (Ferrari HQ) we are working to ensure better power delivery and better driveability. We are also trying to improve the efficiency of the car's aerodynamics.
"The data we acquired from Sunday's race will provide a baseline for the major checking programme we have planned for the Sakhir test."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
