Alonso savours 'special' win

Date published : 15 Mar 2010 - 17:18:00

Fernando Alonso savoured a debut win for Ferrari but knows this is only the first blow landed in a season-long fight for the Formula One world title.

Alonso spearheaded a Ferrari one-two at Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix for his 22nd career victory, his first since Japan in 2008, and third at the Sakhir circuit.

"It means a lot. Returning to the top of the podium is always special, but this is even more so with Ferrari, with all the history behind the team," he said. "There is no better way to start the relationship. I am in the best team in the world. This win will never be forgotten."

Despite such a convincing win for Alonso, who finished 16 seconds clear of team-mate Felipe Massa, with third-placed Lewis Hamilton a further seven seconds adrift, the Spaniard knows one race win does not make a championship.

"The eight drivers in the top four teams are contenders for the championship," added Alonso.

"This is only the first race, but we saw the potential of Mercedes in free practice and the first qualifying period as well.

"We also saw the potential of the McLaren in the race as they were on the podium. And we saw the potential of Red Bull as they were quicker than us in qualifying, and maybe a little quicker than us in the race.

"Of course with Felipe, who is in the same car, there will be races one of us will win and some races the other will win.

"It will all come down to each track. In Bahrain, for whatever reason, it went well for us.

"Maybe when we go to Australia for the next race (on March 28), Mercedes, McLaren or whoever are a little ahead of everybody."

motorsportuk on Facebook