Ferrari back Alonso after mistakes

The Ferrari president has jumped to the defence of the double world champion in the wake of recent failures after winning the opening race at Bahrain.

Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari president, has jumped to the defence of Fernando Alonso in the wake of recent criticism aimed at the double world champion. Alonso, a Spaniard, made a dream start to his Ferrari career with a victory in the season-opening grand prix in Bahrain in March . But the former McLaren-Mercedes driver has made a series of mistakes since then. Notably, Alonso was involved in a first-corner collision with Michael Schumacher of Mercedes GP, his old rival, in the subsequent race in Australia.

In China, the 28-year-old jumped the start and was given a drive-through penalty before crashing in practice in Monaco 11 days ago. Asked by Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian newspaper, whether he had any regrets over signing Alonso, Di Montezemolo replied: "Not one bit." He added: "It was good with Michael [Schumacher], but it's over. No regrets. "I'm very happy with Alonso, both on and off the track."

Di Montezemolo was quick to extol Alonso's virtues. "He has team spirit, he's conscientious, has attachment to the team, and when he races he's a fantastic fighter." That was proven in Monaco. In Monte Carlo, Alonso produced a number of stunning overtaking manoeuvres coming out of the tunnel and into the chicane. He eventually finished sixth after starting the race from the pit lane. "I consider his only mistake was in Monaco where he was being over confident," Di Montezemolo said. "He wanted to test the limits, thinking about the pole and he made a mistake. "The jump start in China was down to tension. "But we are in good shape for the world championship. It's still open." * PA