Korean GP: Fernando Alonso preview

Alonso: "my best season in Formula 1"

Yeongam, 21 October -- Being late for an FIA Press Conference usually involves being fined, but today at the new Korea International Circuit, all five participants were "legally late" because they took part in a photo call as the last five drivers still in with a chance of winning the title. It was a reprise of a famous photo taken in 1986 when four drivers were in the running, all sitting on the pit wall together, Senna, Prost, Mansell and Piquet. This time, we had the two McLaren men, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, the two Red Bulls, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's Fernando Alonso.

Having looked at the new circuit, Fernando reckoned the whole facility was 99% ready. "They have done a very good job and so I hope we put on a good show this weekend. It is always nice to come to a new circuit and a new country to face a new challenge. These things are very welcome in the championship." With all five contenders in the room, the questions were centred on who might come out on top in Abu Dhabi and the Ferrari man, like his fellow panellists in fact, had no clear idea. But he was certain he had enjoyed his debut season with the Maranello squad. "The championship is not finished yet," he said. "But whatever the outcome, in terms of happiness, motivation, the driving and integration with the team itself, this has been my best season in Formula 1. It would be nice to be champion this year, but if that does not happen, I will still have some great, great memories of 2010." In more specific terms when it came to this weekend, the Ferrari man was asked if he had a plan to beat the seemingly unbeatable Red Bulls in qualifying. "I would rather beat them on Sunday!" was his immediate response.

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