Behind the scenes, though, the situation could be more volatile. “Fernando is exceptional,” Sir Jackie Stewart told Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, “but he does not cope well when his teammate is beating him.” At the very least, Alonso can count on the full backing of the fabled Italian team, who have put him on a pedestal rivalled only by Michael Schumacher’s a decade ago. “In the race, Alonso is the best driver I’ve ever had,” Luca di Montezemolo was quoted recently by Spain’s El Confidencial newspaper. The Ferrari president said one-lap pace is more difficult to quantify through the eras, but “in the race itself, yes, he (Alonso) is the best”. However, barely since their partnership began in 2010 has there been another time in which Massa was also leading Alonso in the drivers’ points standings. Referring to the Brazilian, Montezemolo continued: “It is true that at the beginning of last year, something happened in his head and he could not go as (well as) Fernando did.” “But now he is very relaxed, he has been very good, but we should not forget that there were times when he was even faster than Michael. If I have any problems, it is not with the drivers,” he added.