Monday, September 13, 2010

Ferrari: Title boost caps Monza win

http://motogp-f1-races.blogspot.comFerrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says that the biggest positive to come out of Fernando Alonso's Italian Grand Prix victory was not the win itself - but that his outfit was now firmly back in the title hunt.

Alonso had come into the Ferrari's home race at the Monza admitting that he needed a good result to keep his championship hopes alive - but reckoned just a podium finish was enough to fulfil that.

However, Alonso delivered one of his best drives of the season to hound early leader Jenson Button before jumping his McLaren rival at the mandatory pitstop.

Allied to Lewis Hamilton's retirement from the race on the first lap, the victory meant that Alonso cut the deficit to the series leader from 41 points to just 21 to reignite his title challenge.

Afterwards, Domenicali was full of emotion at seeing Ferrari take its first win at Monza since 2006 – but thought the title situation was the best thing to come out of the day.

"Of course we are very happy to have done this performance here in front of our people," he said. "It is amazing when you are on the podium to feel that live – with the people under you, with a sea of the red supporters who were singing the national anthem.

"I was saying together with Jenson on the podium that this feeling is unique and fantastic. I am very happy no doubt.