Ferrari preview the Australian GP

Ferrari head into the new season full of confidence, however, concede it “will not be easy” in Australia…

Ferrari head into the new season full of confidence, however, concede it “will not be easy” in Australia…

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Fernando Alonso: “I think we are more or less ready for Melbourne. Of course, we would have liked more testing, but the rules are the same for everyone and we completed our programme throughout the tests. I feel confident in the car, while knowing Australia will not be easy. As usual, our aero development will be the key to having a good season, while getting a good understanding of the new, more complicated Pirelli tyres will also be essential.

“I don’t think we will see one team dominate, but also I don’t expect seven winners in the first races, like last year. It will be very close and from our point of view, a good result this weekend would remove some of the stress. I enjoy the Albert Park circuit, it is technical and difficult and the track, being a street circuit, evolves throughout the weekend.”

Felipe Massa: “I expect the drivers from two or three teams to do most of the winning. As for ourselves, we start the season with a better car than we did last year, so I am happy and positive with the way testing went, when I felt the car evolved from the first day to the last, when I was happy with the balance of the F138 and felt comfortable at the wheel.

“We will have the Supersoft tyres and I like that as I always prefer the softer end of the range. In fact, managing the tyres, as well as making improvements to the aero side of the package through the year will be very important, but we really need to be perfect in every area, also on the mechanical side of the car. Personally, I plan to start the 2013 season the way I went during the second half of 2012 and then build on that.”