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Domenicali challenges Ferrari to fight hard as F1 season returns

August 21, 2013 -- Updated 1602 GMT (0002 HKT)
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali wants a positive mental attitude from his team.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali wants a positive mental attitude from his team.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali wants Ferrari to fight hard when F1 season resumes
  • Team principal says his team must believe they can overhaul Red Bull and Mercedes
  • Domenicali says: "I don't want to see any of you not believing in our fight back."
  • Ferrari's Fernando Alonso 39 points behind title leader Sebastian Vettel

(CNN) -- Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali wants total commitment from his charges as the Formula One season clicks back into gear this weekend.

The Italian team had a stuttering start to the 2013 campaign, the mid-season break allowing them time to regroup, recharge and refocus.

Fernando Alonso currently lies 39 points behind the championship leader -- Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel -- who is going for his fourth straight title.

And with Ferrari also a distance behind Red Bull in the constructors' championship, Domenicali wants a positive approach once the final act gets underway in Belgium.

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"I don't want to see any of you not believing in our fight back," Domenicali said on Ferrari's official website.

"Each one of you must be the link in a chain of positivity that must drive the team along in what is a key moment in the season. We are Ferrari and history teaches us that we must never accept we are beaten.

"There is much talk outside the company regarding the future, but we must concentrate only on the present, on the fight for the championship.

"The words of our president before the summer break must serve as a stimulus, because they were meant as the words of a good family father, who, first and foremost really roots for our team.

"Keep those words in mind and let's all pull together, starting in Spa."

Alonso has two grand prix victories under his belt this season, in Spain and China, but Ferrari dropped off the pace immediately prior to the hiatus.

Now Domenicali wants Alonso and teammate Felipe Massa, from Brazil, to roar back into contention. "Our task is very simple: namely to give Fernando and Felipe the quickest car possible," he added.

"Now, their contribution will be even more essential than ever. We have spelled it out many times before: the driver topic is definitely not a priority.

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"What counts is to give them the best possible chance of finishing ahead of everyone and, in order to succeed, each and every one of us must do our job to the best of our ability on all levels.

"If they have a winning car in their hands, then I am convinced they will know how to win with it. If we all believe, then we can do it!"

I don't want to see any of you (at Ferrari) not believing in our fight back
Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari team principal

Kimi Raikkonen was the last person to deliver Ferrari a drivers' title, in 2007, and there has been speculation he will return to Ferrari in time for next season.

But for now Domenicali insists Ferrari, who haven't won the constructors' crown for four years, can still achieve their goals for 2013.

"There is still everything to play for and we have gone through this before, as recently as last year," said Domenicali.

"Nine races means that a total of 225 driver points are available and rest assured that the goals we set ourselves at the start of the season are still perfectly attainable.

"It's true we've gone through a difficult period, especially in July and now is the time to react in the way that Ferrari people know well."

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