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Alonso downplays Ferrari challenge

21-04-2014

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Fernando Alonso believes it will be very tough for he and Ferrari to bridge the sizable gap between themselves and Mercedes in the fight for the Drivers' and Constructors' championships.

The Spaniard has been talking down the Scuderia's chances of a successful season since the first race in Melbourne, the Silver Arrows having blown everyone out of the water in the four races to date.

However, there was cause for celebration in the Italian camp on Sunday after Alonso secured the team's first podium finish of the year, coming home in third behind Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Alonso is up to third in the Drivers' standings now and is priced at 34.00 to win the title, with Hamilton 1.33.

Ferrari's F14 appeared to be in better shape than a fortnight ago in Bahrain when Alonso and team mate Kimi Raikkonen struggled to finish in the points.

Despite the improvements the team have made to the car, Alonso claims it will take a monumental effort to overhaul Mercedes in the battle for the world titles.

"At the moment, it seems very far away because [Mercedes] have a big advantage and we need to work really hard if we want to have that possibility," Alonso said.

"There is nothing really special we can do, just don't give up; we're in the fourth race in the championship, there's still a long way go but being super-realistic, knowing that the gap is very, very big it's going to be very tough."

Next up for Alonso is his home grand prix in Barcelona, a race he won last season on his way to finishing second again in the Drivers' Championship behind Sebastian Vettel.

The two-time world champion believes it will be tough to delight his compatriots for the second year running though, claiming Ferrari are taking baby steps in their development at this stage.

Alonso added: "We will give 100 per cent again and we will fight - but in terms of result we need to remain very calm and see how development is these three weeks if we can bring some extra new parts".

Alonso are 15.00 to win the Spanish Grand Prix, with Hamilton 1.57 to win a fourth straight race.


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