BUDAPEST, (Reuters) – Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was given a card from reporters and a personal greeting from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone on his 30th birthday but what the Spaniard really wants is a more exciting Hungarian Grand Prix.
The race outside Budapest has a reputation for being a little processional with few overtaking opportunities but the degradation of this year’s Pirelli tyres as well as KERS and DRS should lead to more passes in tomorrow’s race.
“In Hungary we have seen some boring races in the past. This year this thing cannot happen,” Alonso said yesterday after finishing second quickest in the second practice behind McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.
“We finished the planned work programme and that’s always a positive start to a race weekend. We saw that McLaren looks very strong, as indeed it was last weekend. Now we must try and improve the car, especially in the third sector of the track, where we seem to be suffering more than most.”
Ecclestone made a special visit to the Ferrari motor home to Alonso’s surprise.
“It’s nice to celebrate here with Ferrari, a team I will definitely be with at least until I am 35,” added the double world champion, fourth in this season’s overall standings.
“Thirty is a good number, I like the number. It is also my 30th race for Ferrari so it is a good coincidence.”
