MONTMELO, Spain : Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has asked his local fans not get their expectations up for this Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.
The two-time former world champion downplayed his third-place finish three weeks ago in China and says progress is going slow for Ferrari as it tries to make up ground on Mercedes.
Alonso says "if I say we will fight for the podium I will probably be lying to you, and I don't want to disappoint our fans."
Alonso is third in the standings with 41 points after Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton swept the first four races of the season. Rosberg leads the standings with 79 points.
Ferrari's last win came at Montmelo one year ago when Alonso got his second career victory on the circuit.
