As always around this time it is good to think about the achievements of this year and the outlook for 2011

 

To be honest, 2010 has certainly been a very intense year in which I have combined for the fourth consecutive time, my role as a Ferrari test driver and as official driver in Peugeot. Overall, I truly believe it has been a very positive season, although the last minute problems in both Le Mans and Abu Dhabi have not allowed me to fully round it. I would like to highlight my victory at Sebring 12 Hours in my first participation, while the worst time of the year was undoubtedly the accident I had at the end of the season when testing in Alcañiz from which I'm fully recovered now.

 

It has been a very special year at Ferrari as I have been with my colleague Fernando Alonso. This has been a fantastic experience that I hope lasts for many years. As I have said on several occasions, Fernando is one of those drivers who works really hard but also appreciates your work. With Fernando, Massa and the support of the leading Spanish brand Santander, it has been a pleasure to work at Ferrari this season thanks to the great atmosphere and excitement we all have been sharing until the last second. Although we had many problems in the first part of the Championship, we never gave up and continued progressing to get a very competitive car. It was then when the best Alonso appeared with a strong confidence convincing all of us that he could be a World Champion. Unfortunately, we lost it in the last race and when we all thought we had it, but this shows the complexity and competitiveness of our sport which makes it even more exciting. Now, we can only congratulate Vettel and Red Bull as they have completed an excellent season.

 

Personally, I am very happy with my work and involvement in Ferrari this year. I've done all the tests allowed this season and again, I have been involved in many public events with sponsors. On the whole, I have been working closely with the F1 customer´s department taking part in special events to teach guests to drive a F1. I also worked alongside the industrial department giving them my feedback to help improve the performance of our range of road cars. It is a pity I did not have much time, because it is a very interesting job. I have also traveled to every Grand Prix taking part in various events so Alonso and Massa could focus on the races. My trips coincided with my debut as a commentator in La Sexta, a new experience that I enjoyed it very much not only because I had the opportunity to work closely with Lobato, but also because I could feel closer to the Spanish audience again after some time with the Italian channel Sky. So it's been a busy year in the F1 side.

 

Peugeot Le Mans

 

For the fourth consecutive year, I have been racing with Peugeot in the most important endurance race and for the third year I almost achieved it. However, having won last year’s Le Mans 24 Hours, it is much easier to manage the pain. Starting with car number 1 was a particular amazing experience that I won´t never forget. Year after year, I learn something new from this race, and year after year, this race engages me more. I do not know how my life would be without Le Mans now, and, honestly, I have begun the countdown for next year. On this occasion, we were very unlucky as we broke the engine two hours before the end of the race. Indeed, Le Mans is a challenging race where all can be decided at the very last minute and jut by few seconds’ difference, a race where the favourite car does not have to win. A race, which without these requirements, would not be so special.

 

This year I extended my curriculum in the endurance field with a fantastic win in Sebring 12 Hours in the United States, a highly significant victory as it is considered the second most important race in this category and it was only my first time there. We also obtained a double win in Petit Le Mans in addition to Le Mans Cup International title. And 2010 will also be remarkable in terms of being the last one for the 908 HDi FAP car which will establish a before and after in the endurance history.

 

Therefore, we start a new era in Peugeot which we hope it will be equally or even more successful than this one and this is why we have already started working on the new car. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy 2011!

 

All the best,