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. 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. 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. (GMM)
Wins in 2014 'difficult' for Ferrari - Maldonado
- Published on 07 May 2014 15:54
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Spain
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
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Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
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Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
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Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
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Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
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Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
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Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
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Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Driver profile
- Team Aston Martin
- Points 631
- Podiums 9
- Grand Prix 204
- Country ES
- Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (45)
- Place of b. Oviedo, ES
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 188,072 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Team profile
- Team name Lotus F1
- Base Enstone, United Kingdom
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Kimi Räikkönen 9
- Romain Grosjean 10
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 65,124 comments on Lotus F1
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