Fernando Alonso calls for further Ferrari improvement

The Spanish driver won the British Grand Prix over two weeks ago and has been the most consistent driver in the last three races, with second places in Valencia and Germany added to that win.

Although Ferrari has taken a significant step forward in recent weeks, Alonso believes it is imperative that the Maranello team improves even more.

The two-time champion says his team cannot rely on making up positions in the race all the time, which is why a qualifying improvement is key.

"We have made up a lot of ground compared to the very early part of the season in terms of performance, but we must take a further step forward, as I have said so often before," said Alonso on Ferrari's website.

"We still lack something, especially in qualifying: it's true that in the race we can make up for this, but it's not always possible to move up two places compared to our grid position, as happened in Monaco, Valencia, Silverstone and Nurburgring."

Alonso also believes Ferrari will be stronger in this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix thanks to the higher temperatures expected following two races with low track temperatures hurting his chances.

"At the Hungaroring, the weather should be more in keeping with summer, which is no bad thing as I've had enough of the cold and damp we experienced in England and Germany," he said.

"That goes not just for me, but also for our car: it would definitely work better in temperatures higher than the 13 degrees we had last Sunday.

"I know the Hungarian Grand Prix has a special significance for the Scuderia, as it has experienced some great moments, but also some dramatic ones, like when Felipe was injured in that fluke accident when he was hit by a part of Rubens' Brawn.

"Budapest is special for me too, as it was at this very race in 2003 that I took my first ever Formula 1 win. It was a very emotional day, the memory of which will always stay with me."

The Spaniard is 86 points behind championship leader Sebastian Vettel in the standings with nine races to go.