The story of last season was Fernando Alonso hauling an uncooperative Ferrari chassis around the track to wring out unexpected results in qualifying and absolutely brilliant race performances. That the Spaniard hailed as his “best season ever” one in which he eventually lost the World Championship shows how much of a struggle it was to remain competitive. Based on initial impressions from pre-season testing at Catalunya, it appears 2012 may be a bit different.

Alonso drove Ferrari’s new Formula One car, the F138, for the first time in Barcelona on Tuesday and said it was on another planet compared to the tricky one he wrestled into title contention in 2012. Alonso ended a long absence from the cockpit by clocking the third fastest time in testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Alonso’s new car ‘on another planet’ | IOL.co.za.