The Ferrari drivers spoke to the F1 media this morning in Madonna di Campiglio about their hopes for the season ahead. Fernando Alonso was not very communicative but said that he needs to see whether the team has built a competitive car before making any judgements about the season ahead.

“There is a desire to do well,” he said. “We started work on the new car in September so we are optimistic. I’ve seen it in the windtunnel, I have seen numbers and lines of data on computers, but I cannot say anything. Everyone is giving their best, but perhaps it will be Malaysia or China before we really know how competitive the car is.”

The Spanish driver said that changes at Ferrari are positive.

“All new arrivals are welcome,” he said. “They bring precious information and previous experience from other teams and so the team is strengthened. Hirohide Hamashima is a very good addition because last year we were not able to maximize the potential of the tyres. When Pat Fry arrived he had new ideas. I think he was surprised by the way Ferrari did some things and using his experience elsewhere one can maximize things and so the team improves in all areas. Let’s hope Felipe and I are both extremely competitive. Half the races being won by one and half by the other would be good! My focus is on our car. If we do things well we can fight for the championship. You have to focus on the car. Since Pat Fry arrived there have been many changes and the team is more efficient.”

Felipe Massa’s focus is rather more personal.

“The 2012 season is going to be extremely important for me, but that is true for everyone in the team,” he said. “It is a season in which I want to do well. I want to do more than last year or in 2010. I want to be competitive. I want a season that will not see me with the odds against me very often in the races and scoring fewer poonts that I deserve to do. I have plenty of motivation. Plenty of drive. There is always pressure and driving for a team like Ferrari means that you are always under pressure and it is better to have the kind of pressure that comes when you are fighting for the world championship!

“I want to be as competitive as possible and to win as many races as possible.

“It is extremely positive to have Mr Hamashima. It is something that was missing last year – especially with the harder tyres. I suffered more that Fernando because of my driving style, so it is extremely important to understand all aspects of the car. I have to able to be competitive with all kinds of tyres. Hamashima is a man with extensive experience and it is very positive for the team and for myself.

“We need the car to be competitive in all respects, not just in races but also in qualifying. We need to be 100 percent competitive at all times.”

Massa said that his relationship with English engineer Rob Smedley will continue.

“We have worked together for many years and it is very important to have a good relationship with your engineer. You need a guy who is doing all you need, who understands your driving styles, and to understand you on a personal level as well. That is how it is with Rob.”

Massa said that he has asked the designers for many things different to the past cars and says that the new car will be different.

“But I don’t know w=how the car will be until I have driven it. The team is extremely motivated There were problems last year and in the previous year but Fernando had the same problem, although he could do more than me.”

What does he want to achieve?

“I want to be going in a good direction. I want to win races. To have a season perfect from beginning to end and by having that I’d be in good shape. That is what I want for me – and for the team. No-one has asked for any specific target. We have to find the right direction. We need everything right. We have to work together to be perfect at every level. We live in a world in which details are really important. The head is what is most important. You must always have the mental strength. We are all use to this. I am stronger today than in the past.

“Clearly the first half of the season is more important for my future. This is clear.”