Alonso: A 'moral obligation' to fight

This year's Championship has not been a first-class one for Ferrari who were slow out of the blocks. The Scuderia had to wait until round nine of the season, the British GP, to record their first race victory and to date it has been their only one.

With just 215 points to their tally, the Italian stable trails leaders Red Bull Racing by 168 points in the Constructors' Championship while Alonso, Ferrari's best-placed driver in the race for the World title, is 89 points behind Sebastian Vettel.

But despite the huge deficits and the momentous task ahead, Alonso is adamant they will not give up on their season.

"We must try and win as numerous races as possible," he said during a visit to the Dolomites for Ferrari's Wrooom Summer 2011.

"We are sensible and the Championship situation is what it is, but we have seen so often that there can be sudden reversals.

"And after all, we are Ferrari and we have a ethical obligation, especially for the millions of fans spread around the world, to always think of the utmost goal.

"We can't ever say we will undertake eight races without having the Championship in the back of our mind: we will always have an eye on the title, at least until there is no longer the least chance.

"Of course we must start winning and we have to expect that Vettel makes a few mistakes or has some problems."

Webber fine with being the 'underdog'

Having clinched the crown last year, many are predicting Vettel will be the man to beat in 2011 while there are some nay-sayers who reckon last year's title brawl was Webber's one shot at achieving F1's ultimate prize.

The 34-year-old, though, is determined his detractors' comments won't get him down - rather, he says, they'll inspire him.

"I do like to be the underdog to a degree. On the ropes a little bit. And of course there are plans you can use to fire yourself up. But you can only take that so far," said the Aussie.

"Don't worry; I'll be opposing this year again. Very, very hard. And sometimes that will be against Sebastian."

Webber urged Red Bull to bring out their 'A' game as several moments last season, such as their early dependability issues and the intra-team tension between himself and Vettel, played into their rivals' hands.

"There is every reason to suggest we can do well again," Webber told The Telegraph, "but we have learned to deal with convinced situations a little bit better so that we don't help our rivals."

'Ferrari want Vettel to replace Massa'

Vettel, who became F1's youngest World Champion with his title victory with Red Bull in 2010, has often been connected to Ferrari in the past.

Not only has the German admitted that racing for the Italian outfit would be "special" but now di Montezemolo has exposed he wants Vettel.

"Sebastian is fast, smart and young," he told Cologne tabloid Express. "Sooner or afterward he will be driving a red car."

The newspaper added that Ferrari are eager to have the German's services in 2012, teaming him up with Fernando Alonso as Felipe Massa's replacement.

Vettel, though, insists he is dedicated to Red Bull Racing: "I am a part of the Red Bull family."
However, even Red Bull team proprietor Dietrich Mateschitz admits his outfit could face a tough confront retaining the German in the face of the "dream" of racing for Ferrari.

"It's a once in a life-time dream to drive for Ferrari but we will make send-off a difficult decision for him," said Mateschitz.

"We have so far been also quick to agree. And he wants to win."