Alonso Reiterates Passion for Ferrari

Fernando Alonso admitted that his life at Ferrari is even better that what he had expected prior to becoming a racer for the Prancing Horse, as he reckoned the Italian team is something more than just a Formula One organization.

“It's different. It's even better. I expected to come to the strongest team, being able to benefit from the potential. But Ferrari is much more: it's a passion, a philosophy, a way of life. I'm contaminated by this emotion,” said the 2-time world champion in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Back when he was fighting against the Ferraris for the world title – at Renault – Alonso admits that the atmosphere inside the Maranello garage seemed dominated by Michael Schumacher. Now that the German is back with another team in the championship, the Spaniard confirmed everything seems a “little freer” when the German is not around.

When asked by the Italian reporters if he was amazed by Schumacher's decision to return to F1 racing after 3 years of absence, Alonso confirmed it was not something he would have put his money on prior to November last year (when Schu's return was confirmed).

“I was even more surprised that he came back... with the calm life he could have lived and with such a past,” added Alonso, who admitted however that overtaking the German driver on track continues to be a nice feeling, no matter the form showed by the 7-time world champion.

“Leaving Schumacher behind is always nice: you’re talking about it for a whole week.”