MELBOURNE: Fernando Alonso said yesterday two tough near-misses in the past three seasons would motivate Ferrari as the celebrated Italian team seek their first Formula One drivers world title in six years.

Alonso said he felt “privileged” to have come so close last year, when he missed out on his third world title by just three points, and in 2010, when he was only four points back in the standings.

In both instances Alonso, who won in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, was shaded by Red Bull ace Sebastian Vettel, who is now seeking his fourth championship in a row starting with Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

But the Spaniard said it would all be worthwhile if he could become Ferrari’s first drivers champion since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, a triumph which followed Michael Schumacher’s golden run from 2000-2004.

“Not many people have the opportunity to be on the podium in Formula One, even less people have the opportunity to win races and very few people have the chance to fight for the world championship,” Alonso said at Albert Park.

“So I feel lucky and privileged to have those opportunities.

“Sure, we lost two times in the last three years in the last race and we want again to have the possibilities to fight for the world championship. Hopefully this year we can change the final result.” — AFP

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