Ferrari fire warning to Schumacher

FERRARI team principal Stefano Domenicali has fired a warning shot across the bows of Michael Schumacher by insisting Fernando Alonso is ready to defeat him again.

After 14 seasons with Ferrari, the last three as an advisor after retiring from Formula One at the end of 2006, Schumacher is back on the main stage this year, albeit with Mercedes.

It means the renewal of a classic rivalry between the 41-year-old German and Alonso, now with Ferrari after the Spaniard replaced Kimi Raikkonen.

Schumacher’s five-year stranglehold on the sport that ran from 2000 to 2004 was ended by Alonso who claimed back-to-back titles the two following years.

Naturally, you would expect Domenicali to back his new man Alonso over Schumacher, but he genuinely feels if Ferrari can provide the double world champion with the right machinery, he will triumph.

Speaking at Ferrari’s pre-season winter event in the Italian Dolomites, Domenicali said: “Everyone will look at Michael as very strong, of course.

“As Michael decided to address this challenge, he is convinced he will have a car which can give him the possibility to show once again the driver he is.

“Last year when we tackled the issue of substituting Felipe (Massa) we thought about him because we are convinced Michael is an extraordinary, very strong driver.

“From this point of view, Fernando has all that is necessary to defeat him.

“However, a driver can be the best in the world, but without the best tools even the best in the world will have problems winning.

“It will be up to us to give him the right car.”

Whilst Domenicali has admitted there was a degree of sadness within Ferrari at Schumacher’s departure – for some fans, even anger, as they saw it as betrayal – now there is only a sense of inspiration within the team.

“We have seen some fans not appreciate Michael’s choice, and it was difficult to see Michael with his helmet on elsewhere. Some wounds always remain,” added Domenicali.

“But we should not forget history, what Michael did with Ferrari, just as we should not forget what Ferrari did for Michael.

“Now we turn the page and it is a further stimulus for us. We have to show – also to Michael – that this is the strongest team.

“It’s a constructive stimulus, a greater will to show that we can win.”