No rest for Fernando Alonso as Spaniard and Ferrari plot route back to glory in 2014
"Until 21st December I think we are on," reveals Spaniard
By Pete Gill
Last Updated: 25/11/13 9:29am
With the team's Maranello base already focused since September on mastering the new regulations that will govern the sport next year, Alonso is set to burden the bulk of the donkey work in the team's simulator for the next four weeks even in the wake of one of the longest and most gruelling seasons in the sport's history.
Not only does Alonso's new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen reputedly suffer from motion sickness when using a simulator, but the Finn is currently convalescing after undergoing back surgery last month.
The onus, therefore, is firmly on Alonso to guide Ferrari through the development of their new V6 powerunit and their radically-different 2014 charger.
"Until Christmas time we are quite busy in Ferrari with some events with sponsors and then in Maranello many parties with the people working in Ferrari and their families. We will use those days that we are already in Italy to spend some time in the simulator and to so some work looking for next year relation," confirmed Alonso following the season-ending Brazilian GP.
"Christmas time will probably be the first that we completely stop. Until 21st December I think we are on."
Alonso skipped the first winter test in last January in order to fully recharge his batteries after a heartbreaking World Championship near miss a year ago and his extra workload this December could potentially result in the Spaniard missing the first test of 2014, scheduled for Jerez at the end of January.
Alonso finished the season finale at Interlagos in third place, his first podium finish since September's Singapore GP.
