Ferrari still 'one step below' leaders - Alguersuari
Apr.12 (GMM) McLaren and Red Bull are the teams to bet money on after the early phase of the 2012 season.
That is the view of Jaime Alguersuari, the former Toro Rosso driver who is now a commentator for British radio as well as Pirelli's new test driver.
The Spaniard told Europa Press news agency that Ferrari, whose Fernando Alonso won the rain-marred Malaysian Grand Prix three weeks ago, remains "one step below" the current pacesetters.
"If it (Sepang) had been a normal race, the (Ferrari) car would not have been at the level of a McLaren or Red Bull," said Alguersuari.
At the same time, however, the 22-year-old insists that the 2012 title race remains "very open".
"Alonso was only the winner (in Malaysia) because he did a great job in choosing and managing the tyres," said Alguersuari.
"But Ferrari have the potential to develop the car in a short space of time because the top teams are capable of gaining a second, a second and a half, which is what I think they're lacking.
"And I think what happens in the end is what matters to Fernando Alonso," he added, also explaining that the 2012 field is tightly bunched together.
"The FIA has done a great job with the regulations and I think we should be grateful," said Alguersuari.
"Now we can see a Sauber that really can be ahead, and that's because there is much less difference between the first and the fifth (best) car."
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Pirelli chief calls for radical F1 overhaul
Alonso: No F1 team has Aston Martin’s ‘ambitions’ as Newey intrigue flies
Alonso will be "first to raise my hand" if he loses F1 edge at 45
Suzuka sensation redeemed Alonso, but his F1 future is complicated
Hamilton needs talk with Wolff to prepare Ferrari F1 move
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
F1 Chinese GP: How to watch, ESPN Formula 1 TV times in USA
Porsche lodges appeal over da Costa's Misano Formula E disqualification
Ricky Taylor looking for redemption at Long Beach
How Senna’s early Pacific GP exit raised his Benetton suspicions
What could have been: When Villeneuve’s shock return thwarted an F1 rookie
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
The secrets of F1 turbocharging explained
Why Alpine’s rigorous training camp yields telling insights into its juniors
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments