Ferrari had a tough race at Spa-Francorchamps but could be set for a stronger showing this weekend, according to team boss Stefano Domenicali.

The Italian team, whilst trying to recover its championship deficit, brought updates for its F10 car to Belgium two weeks ago that resulted in a backwards step in terms of competitiveness.

Domenicali has made it clear that one more bad result will mean Ferrari switching its focus to 2011, but he also told Corriere dello Sport that he is hopeful of a strong outing on home territory this weekend at Monza.

“Winning at Monza is not unthinkable, because we have understood where we went wrong with the improvements in Spa.

“We know now how to get the best from these parts,” he said.

As part of the last-ditch push for 2010, test driver Giancarlo Fisichella did an astonishing 700 kilometres of straight-line running with the new parts last week at Vairano.

Fernando Alonso, 41 points behind the title leader, admits the situation will mean additional “pressure” in front of the tifosi this weekend.

“It is obvious that this race is very important for us.  There will be some pressure,” admitted the Spaniard.

Domenicali concedes that Alonso has been feeling the pressure all season.

“If Fernando has done some mistakes, it is because he wants to show who he is.  Wearing red overalls is very heavy and a lot heavier than what is seen from the outside,” said the Italian.

Domenicali is also supportive of the other half of Ferrari’s driver lineup, albeit acknowledging that Felipe Massa has things to work on.

“Felipe needs to find the right balance in his relationship with Fernando, and this will happen over time.

“He has grown a lot with Ferrari,” added Domenicali.  “He is a driver whose best comes out at crucial times, when the pressure is the highest.”

Sebastian Vettel has repeated his desire to one day race a Ferrari in formula one.

With Vettel under a longer contract to Red Bull, his teammate, Mark Webber, is being linked with a move for 2011 to the famous Italian team.

“I am very happy with Red Bull,” the 22-year-old German told Spain’s El Pais newspaper.

“I am not going anywhere else, but in the future, I don’t know.

“I want to fight for the world championship, and if you look at the past, Ferrari has always designed very competitive cars.

“Why not go there in a few years?” Vettel admitted.

He added: “Ferrari is unlike any other team, it’s a legend. There are other brands that achieve great success, but Ferrari is special.”

Bernie Ecclestone is said to be pushing very hard for Vettel, the F1 chief executive’s unabashed favourite, to end up in red overalls.

“I don’t think that’s true,” Vettel insisted. “I have a good relationship with Bernie, but fortunately I will decide my future.”
(GMM)