Ferrari chief issues warning

Stefano Domenicali

Warning to McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull: Ferrari's one-two season-opening win in Bahrain last Sunday is just the start, and they believe they can do a lot better. Team chief Stefano Domenicali looked back on Ferrari's analysis of their first day triumph and beamed with pleasure, but ahead of the Melbourne Grand Prix a week on Sunday he only marked it with an eight out of ten.

'We had a pile of problems and we did well, so I have to say that given that trouble, the team did a good job, but I would say it was only an eight out of ten weekend. We can do better,' said Domenicali.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of Spain led the way home after taking full advantage of German Sebastian Vettel's mid-race loss of power with his Red Bull-Renault car to snatch a great win, with Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa following him home in second.

'Of course, that was excellent, to finish first and second, an outstanding achievement,' said Domenicali.

'But it is a long season. And we had a long list of problems in Bahrain that we plan to fix before we reach Australia – we don't want to repeat them. So I hope we can be stronger, but we are very respectful too of our rivals. Yes, our car is competitive, but there are a lot of other teams that are very strong and we are ready for whatever lies ahead, I hope.'