Alonso pins hopes on Ferrari ‘perfection’

Fernando Alonso believes some Ferrari “perfection” in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix can help overcome the threat of a Red Bull upset and hand him a third drivers’ world title.

The 29-year-old Spaniard, who leads Australian Mark Webber by eight points, said he did not want to be involved in any frantic points calculations. Alonso, instead, wants to outpace the Red Bull team and lift the crown without fuss or fury.

“The Interlagos result – in the Brazilian Grand Prix – allows us to be in charge of our own destiny now. With a win or a second place, we won’t need any more calculations,” said Alonso.

Vettel and Webber clinched a double for Red Bull at Sao Paolo’s Interlagos circuit last week, with Alonso finishing third to set up a tantalising finale to the season in Abu Dhabi.

He added: “So for me that means no changes to our approach in this all-important race. We know that if we get everything perfectly right, then we will have the chance to reach the target that we set ourselves at the beginning of the season.”

Talking to the official Ferrari website, Alonso also admitted that the main challenge for him and for the Italian team was to rise to the challenge of matching the Red Bull team’s speed and performance.

“We can do it, even if we know our principal opponents are very strong. So far, perhaps apart from one race, theirs has been the best car on every type of circuit.

“But that still doesn’t mean we expect to be beaten,” said Alonso, who always refuses to admit defeat on the circuit.

Alonso’s consistency in the second half of the season has lifted him from also-ran status to the principal pace-setter with perfect timing for the final round of the 19-race championship at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday.

He has reeled off seven podium finishes in the last eight races – a formidable run of form that has lifted him top in his maiden season with the ‘scarlet scuderia’.

Alonso has experienced a roller-coaster season with Ferrari. After winning the season-opener in Bahrain, he struggled through the first half of the championship before mounting a fightback.

At one stage, he was 47 points in arrears, but his almost metronomic consistency lifted him to lead the standings following last month’s Korean Grand Prix.

He added: “Whatever happens in Abu Dhabi, we are at a final round of a beautiful season that will always remain a wonderful memory for me.”