Hungaroring, 29 July – Only one driver can come to a race with that special feeling of having won the previous Grand Prix and here in Hungary, that man was Fernando Alonso. There was even more cause for him to be in good form and he seemed genuinely pleased that his usual Thursday meeting with the media in the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro hospitality unit began with the journalists wishing him a happy birthday and he was even given a nice gift in the form of a box with packs of playing cards, as this is a popular pastime among the F1 drivers. “For the past few years, my birthday has always coincided with a Grand Prix and it’s nice that this year, it takes place at such a beautiful venue like Budapest,” began the Birthday Boy. “I like this Grand Prix a lot, so it’s a good place to celebrate a birthday. However, there will be no partying until after Sunday, as I will be concentrating on the Grand Prix, but let’s hope the next few days are enjoyable.”

However, it was soon down to more serious matters, as the media are still analysing the events of Hockenheim last Sunday. To a question about driver status in the Scuderia, Fernando had this to say: “there is not a Number 1 and a Number 2 driver at Ferrari. It is a case of respect for one another, with both of us racing for the Scuderia, which means a lot. What matters most is that we are happy with the performance of the car at the last couple of races and that finally, in Germany, we got both cars passed the chequered flag with no problems and plenty of points. Our aim here this weekend is to continue along these lines. What happened last weekend is now in the past and I feel there is nothing more to say, as it was all said in Germany and then our President has also made his comments on the situation. Now, our focus is completely on this weekend and I do not want to lose concentration for the work we have to do.”

Asked about his relationship with his team-mate, Fernando could not have been clearer about the situation: “This is a team where both drivers want to win, both drivers are competitive and we want to score as many points as possible for the team. It has been the same situation at every Grand Prix this season, when Felipe and I arrive at the circuit wanting to win. Hopefully we can have another good weekend here in Hungary and I expect Felipe to again be very strong, as he has been all season. We work together very well.”