Audio Fernando Alonso Monaco GP 2012

ALONSO STARTS OFF IN FRONT

Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari was quickest in the first free practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, the sixth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, which got underway this morning on the Principality’s street circuit. The Spaniard took his F2012 to the top of the time sheet in 1.16.265 ahead of Romain Grosjean (1.16.630) in the Lotus and Sergio Perez (1.16.711) in the Sauber.

In the other Ferrari, Felipe Massa was sixth quickest in 1.16.843. Both Ferrari men used a single set of Soft tyres each as they did a lot of work on set-up. The usual start practice off the grid had to be cancelled as the session was red flagged with ten minutes remaining, after the engine on Heikki Kovalainen’s Caterham failed, leaving a thick pall of smoke hanging over the track.

IT WILL BE MY HELMET IN MONACO

PARTE SUPERIOR DEL CASCO MONACO 2012

"I AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT, IT´S UP TO US"

Fernando Alonso has won twice here in the Principality and he was clearly in up-beat mood when he met the press in the Ferrari media hospitality unit this afternoon. He was asked first about the open letter addressed to everyone within Ferrari, by Luca di Montezemolo earlier this week. “Our President spoke about our chances and always wants to motivate everyone at Ferrari,” began the Spaniard. “We know we were not so competitive in the first five races, but all the same we got enough points to put us in a good position to fight for the title. I completely agree with the President, it’s up to us. If we do a good job of improving the car and making it quicker, then we have a chance, but if we don’t and are not fast enough, then we will never win the championship this year. It is a motivation for everyone at Ferrari to know that, despite the bad start, we do have that chance. Everyone at the factory is giving 100% and hopefully that will work.” 

Fernando often has a unique perspective on racing and his views on this most famous race are certainly not the norm among his fellow drivers. “I don’t think the track is particularly difficult or interesting compared to other street circuits like Singapore or amazing tracks like Suzuka or Spa where you really enjoy the lap,” he began. “Here it is not a case of enjoying the lap so much in terms of driving, but the whole weekend is fantastic in terms of the atmosphere, the crowd, the paddock and the pit lane itself. It is truly unique in every way, being the most prestigious and glamorous race on the calendar with a lot of history behind it. You have closer contact with the fans here and you walk from the paddock and you meet fans that way and there are also many events with sponsors who take advantage of the unique opportunities here. Whenever you see advertising anywhere in the world, with video games for example, the advertising always features a photo from Monaco, one car passing another in the tunnel. The track is therefore the least important factor of the Monaco Grand Prix, with everything around it having a greater importance. We all like to win here because of that, because winning one time in your life here in Monaco is something that will be remembered forever. Hopefully, if we have a good race here, then we will pick up points that will be welcome for our championship hopes. We could dream a bit more and consider the victory: if that happened we will be extremely happy, firstly because it has been many years since Ferrari has won in Monte Carlo and from a personal point of view, I could become the only driver to win for three different teams. I have a long term contract with Ferrari, so if that does not happen this year, I know it will come sooner or later.”