Abu Dhabi GP: Fernando Alonso fears Ferrari will struggle

Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa struggled for pace during Friday practice, the former finishing down in eighth position and the Brazilian in 10th.

Double world champion Alonso, who is fighting for second place in the 2013 Formula 1 standings, conceded Ferrari was far from where it wants to be.

"Hopefully there is more in the car. We are in a position that's not normal for us," said Alonso.

"We are struggling a little bit more this weekend, but to be fighting for Q3 is not good enough for Ferrari.

"Hopefully we will find something in the set-up tomorrow but whatever we find we have to be honest and know it will be a tough weekend."

The Spaniard, whose team lost second place to Mercedes in the constructors' championship in the previous race in India, said keeping Ferrari's rivals at bay will be difficult now they are scoring more consistently.

"We were second in the championship thanks to some good races from Felipe and me," he said.

"But now they are improving and getting the consistency they lacked in the first part of the season we are losing a bit in terms of points but we will fight very hard. We want this second position."

Ferrari is four points behind Mercedes and 24 ahead of Lotus, but it has been outscored by the former in the last three races.