Alonso: Now we have half a mind on 2014

The sumptuous Yas Marina Circuit media centre hosted the first FIA press conference of the weekend this afternoon and Fernando Alonso was one of the six drivers called to attend. Also on the panel was the world champion elect, Sebastian Vettel who spoke of having had a couple of days back home, to get over his Indian hangover.

In fact, it seemed that the media were also somewhat exhausted after the New Delhi weekend, with hardly any questions asked. The Scuderia Ferrari driver was asked to sum up his views on the two titles now being out of his and the Prancing Horse’s grasp.

“We have to be realistic and accept we did not have a good enough chance to fight for the title,” admitted the Spaniard. “It was a bit of a closer contest at the beginning of the year, but after that, it was not close enough. Of course, finishing second in both championships was not our target this year, but to do so would still be something good for the team. So, we will stay focussed and do our best for the next three races, but by now we have half a mind on 2014. We are competitive people at Ferrari, so we can’t wait to start all over again.”

Apart from that, the panel was asked for its views on Kimi Raikkonen. “I can’t talk about him on a personal level,” said Fernando of his next year’s team-mate. “But as a racing driver, he is a great champion, a great talent, he is very fast and loves what he does.”

Alonso has also hit out at persistent questioning of the state of his relationship with Ferrari

"It is fantastic," he said. "Every weekend I repeat the same thing. So I guess in Austin on Thursday the first question will be how is my relationship with the team... It was perfect, it is perfect and it will be perfect."