Sunday: Alonso misses the podium for Ferrari, Massa starts in a donut

Fernando Alonso – 4th:

« Yet another race where we perfectly accomplished our mission. Our final result was more determined by the performance of other teams than by our own, as we gave it our all. Once again today, we had a good start and I made a nice overtaking move on Button, but then, with the medium tires, we didn’t have the ability to defend that position. I also had a problem with the DRS, which wouldn’t activate anymore. I struggled to get close to the cars ahead of me, but the DRS would probably have helped me gain a few tenths to overtake. »

« This Grand Prix perfectly reflects our season: we always did our best, even if fighting for the podium is not as good as finishing in the top 2. In terms of teamwork, we made good progress in 2011 and we must absolutely use this foundation for the 2012 season. If I had to rate our performance, I could repeat what our President, Montezemolo, said, I would give us between 5 and 6… but no matter, I am proud of what we have accomplished. »

« We need a car that is 5 or 6 tenths faster to reach our goal, but I have no doubt in our engineers and in a team that has dominated the last decade in Formula 1. Let’s not forget that I scored 10 podiums this season and scored more points than last year. »

« Losing third place in the drivers’ championship is really not a problem: first place is truly the only thing that matters. »

Felipe Massa – 5th:

« It was a tough final race, and the weekend wasn’t the best from a technical standpoint. We failed to find the best balance, not to mention the drop in pressure on one of my tires overnight, which cost me a set of soft tires for the race. As a result, I could only make two pit stops. I knew it would be penalizing to do many laps on hard tires… Certainly, I would have preferred to celebrate my 100th Grand Prix with Ferrari with a better result, but I have to accept how it turned out. »

« In fact, this race sums up the 2011 season well: pretty good with soft tires but struggling with hard tires. I was happy to feel the team’s enthusiasm and their support from start to finish of the season, but the season was tough and now it’s time to move on. »

« We have to work to improve the car and I would give everything to not experience such a disappointing season again. I would also like to highlight Lewis [Hamilton]’s gesture who came to talk to me in front of the journalists, it was a very nice gesture. »

« What do I wish for Christmas? With Felipinho (editor’s note: his son), I will write and ask for a fantastic car from the beginning to the end of the 2012 season. »

Stefano Domenicali – Team Principal:

« We would have liked to finish the season with at least a podium even though we knew it would be difficult after the qualifications. Fernando [Alonso] was close to succeeding, but his 4th place and Webber’s victory mean that we will not be rewarded at the FIA Gala in India… It’s a shame when you see the season he has had – he even scored more points than in 2010. »

« Felipe [Massa] was forced to adopt a strategy that seemed slower on paper, but still, he had a good race and finished 5th. That would have been the case even if Hamilton had not retired. Now, we can clearly categorize this season as one that was not sufficient in terms of performance. »

« Once again, I congratulate the people who were better and we hope to face them next year. We will do better, that is our goal. We have weeks of hard work ahead. We will see the fruit of our labor only next February when the engines start again. Finally, I am happy to have learned that Hamilton came to meet Felipe [Massa] at his press conference, which puts an end to these quarrels and misunderstandings. »

Pat Fry – Technical Director:

« A logical end to a race that wasn’t particularly exciting. We were expecting rain but it didn’t come even though it rained occasionally around the track. Another surprise, and a bad one, involved the slow puncture on Felipe [Massa]’s right rear tire. It happened overnight and left Massa in a bind. He therefore had to make only two stops during the race. »

« Our two drivers had a very good start: they gained places until the track became less effective. Fernando [Alonso] was impeccable in the first part of the season, overtaking Button. But once the medium tires were used, it was difficult, and Button overtook him again. It’s shameful not to have given him the means to fight for the podium, but he had an incredible season. Now, it’s time to work on the car and provide the most competitive one possible to Fernando and Felipe next year. We have many weeks ahead of us to work hard.