Formula 1: Massimo Rivola heaps praise for the former Ferrari driver, Fernando Alonso: The two-time Formula 1 champion, Fernando Alonso made the Ferrari pit wall ‘feel like idiots’ at times. Massimo Rivola feels he had such a good ability to read the race. Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Rivola said, “Nobody read races like him. Many times he made those of us on the pit wall feel like idiots because he could see beyond. We were in front of the computers, he was doing another job, but he understood things before the others. There are drivers who teach you a lot.”
Formula 1: Alonso left Ferrari pit wall feeling ‘like idiots’ claims the former Ferrari sporting director Massimo Rivola
Fernando Alonso joined Ferrari back in 2010. He was eyeing his third Drivers’ championship title and Ferrari’s first since 2007. It never happened for the veteran driver as he only managed 11 race wins. Meanwhile, he also finished runners-up thrice in the standings at his time at Ferrari.
The biggest mistake of Ferrari when it came to Alonso came at the Abu Dhabi season finale in 2010. Alonso went into the race leading Mark Webber by eight points. But, he was trailing the other Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel by four points.
Formula 1: Alonso left Ferrari pit wall feeling ‘like idiots’ claims the former Ferrari sporting director Massimo Rivola
Ferrari had made the call to cover Webber with both their cars, Alonso and his teammate Felipe Massa. Felipe Massa had pitted first in the hope that he could block Webber. But, that didn’t happen and then made Vettel pit.
Alonso like Webber lost several places and was unable to recover. Both the drivers were stuck in traffic while Vettel won his first Formula 1 title. However, the former sporting director of Ferrari, Massimo Rivola says there could have been even more disappointing during their time together. As those on the pit wall not listened to the driver.
On this day in 2010, Sebastian Vettel won the Abu Dhabi GP to become F1 World Champion for the very first time #tbt pic.twitter.com/DoU0XpKJaB
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) November 14, 2013
It’s not just Alonso’s ability to read the race which earned him praise. But, it was his race craft to be amongst the best on the grid.
Formula 1: Alonso left Ferrari pit wall feeling ‘like idiots’ claims the former Ferrari sporting director Massimo Rivola
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Formula 1: What Daniel Ricciardo had to say for Fernando Alonso
While returning to Formula 1 last season, Alonso impressed the McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo. It was the start of the British Grand Prix’s sprint qualifying.
Fernando Alonso produced an epic first lap, overtaking six cars. The race was shortened and he saw himself at P5 from P11 in the early stages.
Daniel said, “I actually congratulate him for making sprint qualifying pretty exciting. His start was phenomenal, kept us on our toes. I think as well, it’s cool to see there’s always the question, like with any sport, is age a factor?”
“I think his racecraft this year has probably been the best on the grid, at least at times. It’s cool to see that. If you’ve still got a passion and a real drive for it. You can keep doing it at a very high level.”
Formula 1: Alonso left Ferrari pit wall feeling ‘like idiots’ claims the former Ferrari sporting director Massimo Rivola
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