JUNE 11, 2012

Ferrari in title hunt, says Whitmarsh

Although Fernando Alonso's one-stop gamble did not reap reward in Montreal, Ferrari showed true qualifying pace for the first this year and the Spaniard left pleased with progress

Although Fernando Alonso's one-stop gamble did not reap reward in Montreal, Ferrari showed true qualifying pace for the first this year and the Spaniard left pleased with progress.

All the way through free practice and qualifying at the Canadian GP, Alonso was competitive and said: "For the first time this year we were not limiting damage and actually looking for the win. It's a positive sign and we must cnfirm it at Valencia and Silverstone."

Ferrari team prinicpal Stefano Domenicali added post-race: "Considering the face Fernando had and the way he was managing the tyres, we discussed it with him and at the time we had to make the decision, elected to stay out and try the one-stop race.

"In hindsight our mistake was not to cover Vettel but we were not expecting our tyres to fall off the cliff in such a way. We did not get the points that the car could have scored but are on the right line for competitiveness and the championship is open.

Martin Whitmarsh, Domenicali's opposite number at McLaren said: "I don't think Fernando's championship favourite but Ferrari has made a good recovery. They're a great team and they have picked up the pace.

"It's good for the sport to have them there and you have to congratulate them. They showed good form in Monaco and again in Montreal. While I don't think you'd say that anyone's favourite at the moment Ferrari and Fernando are definitely in the hunt."