Next season there will be a four-way fight - suggests Alonso

Fernando Alonso says he expects Mercedes to join Red Bull, McLaren and his Ferrari team inside the battle for the world championship in 2011.

He added he was "proud" of Ferrari despite a strategic error inside the final race costing him the 2010 title.

"I actually wish to commence once more," said the Spaniard. "I expect four teams - us, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull - will probably be inside the fight for the top."

Mercedes failed to win a race after taking both titles as Brawn in 2009.

Alonso was talking at the Ferrari World Finals in Valencia on Sunday, a now-traditional event where the team celebrate their year in sport.

Ferrari have been under fire in Italy for making a catastrophic mistake that handed the drivers' championship to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel inside the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi.

The team referred to as Alonso in for an early pit stop when he was running fourth, the position he required to win a third career drivers' title.

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The move left the 29-year-old stuck in traffic and he could finish only seventh while Vettel won the race.

But Alonso pointed out that he and the team had made other mistakes earlier inside the season - and that Red Bull had also lost plenty of points.

"I am proud of what the Scuderia managed to obtain this season," he said.

"In a year when we did not have the most effective car, we managed to get to the last race still in with a fantastic chance of winning the title after staging a actually strong recovery.

"In a race like that last 1, anything could take place, as this is a sport, not pure maths.

"The comeback we mounted from the mid-point of the season onwards, the way in which we all pulled together, a lot more united than ever, is a lot a lot more important.

"There were races where we lost points, just as there were some where the other people lost a lot more, otherwise they would have won a lot earlier."

Alonso drew parallels between his frustrations in Abu Dhabi and the points Vettel lost two races previously in Korea. An engine failure price the German victory and handed it to Alonso, who moved into the championship lead.

"So a lot has been said about Abu Dhabi, but it's easy to talk with hindsight," Alonso said.
Fernando Alonso

Alonso frustrated as title slips away

"But I think that at Red Bull they would have made other choices after Korea for instance.

"The team were really disappointed with the missed opportunity but Ferrari's fantastic strength is that does not sink into depression simply because of 1 mistake.

"On the contrary, it reacts to be even a lot more determined the following year."

Ferrari's mistake has caused condemnation in Italy, where even politicians have criticised the team, and there has been speculation that some of the team's senior management may be sacked as a result.

But Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has ruled out making any kneejerk decisions.

"Changes within the team? Which is not our philosophy, simply because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability," Di Montezemolo said.

"A few minor adjustments are achievable, but no main upheaval.

"And after all, it has to be said that if we had not got it wrong with that 'penalty kick' in Abu Dhabi, today the discussion would be totally distinct."

I don't think 2011 signifies a essential year for me. Fundamentally, I have been in this scenario often

Felipe Massa

Di Montezemolo insisted that team principal Stefano Domenicali, who has only been inside the role for 3 seasons, had his his full backing.

"I am really happy with the work with which Stefano Domenicali is moving us forward, with fantastic capacity, spirit and a sense of balance," said Di Montezemolo.

Meanwhile, Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa has denied that next season is make-or-break for him.

The Brazilian was forced into a supporting role inside the second half of 2010 after failing to match Alonso inside the initial half of the season and there have been claims he could possibly be replaced if he does not improve in 2011.

But Massa said: "I don't think 2011 signifies a essential year for me. Fundamentally, I have been in this scenario often.

"I remember that at the commence of 2006, numerous individuals said I would only last a year at Ferrari and then I won races that season and went on to stay for a long time a lot more.

"In 2008, there was a whole lot of pressure, specifically at the commence, but I managed to cross the line at the end of the final race as world champion."

Massa subsequently lost the title by 1 point to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton after the Englishmen overtook Toyota's Timo Glock at the final corner.

"This year, there were numerous who said I would have a difficult year after my accident in Budapest [in 2009]. It turned out that way, but not for that reason," said the Brazilian.

And a defiant Massa added: "Over the years, the names of at least 10 drivers have been put forward as replacements for me at Ferrari, but I am still here!"