Breaking news

Formula 1

2014 wins 'not easy' for Ferrari - Maldonado

Can Ferrari get to the top step of the podium?

GMM

Edited: May 7, 2014, 5:30 AM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Fernando Alonso, Scuderia Ferrari

May 7 (GMM) Pastor Maldonado doubts Ferrari can turn around its disappointing start to the season and win races in 2014.

Fernando Alonso appeared to be putting the F14-T's early troubles behind him in China last time out when he finished the race on the podium.

But the Spaniard is not promising more of the same this weekend in his native Spain, where he marked his most recent Grand Prix win one year ago.

"We need to see," said Alonso. "We enjoyed the result of China but there is still a long way to go and we cannot promise anything for Barcelona."

Like all the major teams, Ferrari has used the three weeks between China and Spain to prepare a significant package of upgrades.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14-T makes a pit stop

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14-T makes a pit stop

Photo by: XPB Images

Team president Luca di Montezemolo, who recently installed Marco Mattiacci as Ferrari's new F1 boss after Stefano Domenicali's exit, is pushing hard for improvements.

"We must find ways to be faster," he is quoted by Switzerland's Blick newspaper, "otherwise the 2014 season will be over soon."

Citing Ferrari sources, Italy's specialist Autosprint magazine reports that the 2014 car's small sidepods have been singled out by the team as a fundamental aerodynamic problem.

"We are learning how to get performance out of this new set of regulations and hopefully to make this car more competitive," said technical director James Allison this week.

Maldonado, Lotus' Venezuelan race driver, was asked by Spain's El Confidencial if he thinks Ferrari and Alonso can recover and win races in 2014.

"It will not be easy," he said.

"Ferrari is a great team and for sure they are going to give 200 per cent to allow Fernando to fight to win again. But it is always difficult to win," Maldonado insisted.

"If you doubt that, look at Red Bull and Lotus this year," he added, referring not only to his own beleaguered employer but also the reigning world champions.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Lotus F1 Team joins the Peace One Day Education Monaco Gala

Next article Teams must agree to cost-cutting rules - Todt

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

GMM



The season is still very long - Rosberg

Formula 1

Formula 1

The season is still very long - Rosberg



Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes

Formula 1

Formula 1

Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes



Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position

Formula 1

Formula 1

Chinese GP

Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position

More from

Fernando Alonso



Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying



What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards



Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is

Formula 1

Azerbaijan GP

Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is

More from

Ferrari



Lewis Hamilton slams Charles Leclerc for "do or die" attitude after Mexico GP clash

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

12 h

Lewis Hamilton slams Charles Leclerc for "do or die" attitude after Mexico GP clash



Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mexican GP

18 h

Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur



Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Formula 1

Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Latest news



Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season

NASCAR O'Reilly

NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly

Martinsville II

9 min

Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season



NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

3 h

NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars



Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

4 h

Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"



Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework

IMSA

IMSA IMSA 7 h

Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework

Feature

Discover prime content



Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Stuart Codling

Lewis Hamilton needs “serious talks” with himself and his team-mate



How Ferrari's loss became Max Verstappen's gain at F1's Mexico GP

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

How Ferrari's loss became Max Verstappen's gain at F1's Mexico GP



The seven moments that defined Kimi Antonelli's F1 title win in 2026

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

The seven moments that defined Kimi Antonelli's F1 title win in 2026



Why lap times in Mexico have been so much closer to the previous F1 era

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Stuart Codling

Why lap times in Mexico have been so much closer to the previous F1 era

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.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe