Australian GP: Fernando Alonso says Ferrari cannot be happy
Fernando Alonso says Ferrari cannot be happy with its performance in the 2014 Formula 1 season-opener, after its cars provisionally finished fifth and eighth in the Australian Grand Prix
The double world champion spent most of his race stuck behind Nico Hulkenberg's Force India, but leapfrogged the German by waiting two laps longer to make his final pitstop.
That put him fifth in the provisional classification, but the Spaniard may move up a place if runner-up Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull is excluded for exceeding the fuel-flow limit.
Alonso's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen struggled with tyre-graining on his F14 T and had to battle the Toro Rossos to finish eighth on the road.
"We are not happy with the performance we showed today, we need to improve," Alonso said.
"I was not able to challenge McLaren for the podium positions, Kimi was running between the two Toro Rossos and he won the race here 12 months ago.
"But on the other side it is just the first race. We cannot become crazy about what we saw. We just know we need to work, we are ready to do so and to arrive in Malaysia in two weeks' time in a better position.
"There are concerns but it was good news we finished the race with more or less no problems. The pitstops were very good, we overtook Hulkenberg. There are some positive and negative things, and we must try to improve the negative.
"I think we did a solid race with what we have in our hands at the moment and we need to keep on scoring points until we are a little bit faster."
RAIKKONEN STRUGGLING
Raikkonen suffered several lock-ups in the sister F14 T, as he battled in the lower reaches of the top 10, after getting clipped by Kamui Kobayashi's brakeless Caterham at the first corner.
He said issues with tyre-graining after the first pitstop were to blame for his struggles, rather than braking problems.
"The brakes are fine, we grained the front tyre and then you have no grip on the front," said Raikkonen.
"That is the main issue, [but] it is a combination of things. It is not the easiest thing but I'm sure we will find a solution for it at some point.
"We work until we fix it. If it takes a week or a month, I don't care. This is how it goes sometimes."
Australian GP: Lotus heading in the right direction - Grosjean
Australian GP: Valtteri Bottas 'mad' at himself over error
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss
Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss
FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy
FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy
How Aston Martin and Alonso can save F1 2023 from Red Bull domination
How Aston Martin and Alonso can save F1 2023 from Red Bull domination How Aston Martin and Alonso can save F1 2023 from Red Bull domination
Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours
Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Marc Marquez "gaining nothing by complaining" about Honda’s MotoGP bike
Marc Marquez "gaining nothing by complaining" about Honda’s MotoGP bike Marc Marquez "gaining nothing by complaining" about Honda’s MotoGP bike
Alpine’s push to wipe Gasly F1 penalty points blocked by rivals’ opportunism
Alpine’s push to wipe Gasly F1 penalty points blocked by rivals’ opportunism Alpine’s push to wipe Gasly F1 penalty points blocked by rivals’ opportunism
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous" Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Subscribe and access Autosport.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.