Fernando Alonso is refusing to promise Ferrari fans a World title this season, although he's confident his team will at least be in the fight.
Last season proved to be a disappointing one for Ferrari, who lost out to Red Bull and McLaren for the second year running.
Ferrari struggled to get the most out of their 150° Italia during Saturday's qualifying sessions, putting them on the back foot at the start of Sunday's grands prix.
And although their race-pace was a marked improvement on qualifying, the team claimed just one victory thanks to Alonso's P1 at the British Grand Prix.
The Spaniard, though, is hoping for better this season as Ferrari bid to restore their pride, having begun work on their 2012 challenger in the days after Silverstone.
The new car will be unveiled on February 3rd although Alonso has already had a sneak peak.
"I saw it in the wind tunnel, I saw the development programs, but those are only numbers and lines on a computer," said the double World Champ.
"I can't say anything about how it will perform yet. We probably won't know until the second or third race the real worth of the car."
Pressed as to whether this year's car is the one that can finally carry the Spaniard to his first World title as a Ferrari driver, he said: "If I had a crystal ball I would tell you.
"But now it's January 12 and I'm not optimistic or pessimistic - but we're working every day.
"When Pat (Fry) arrived, he tried to change some things, and he was surprised by some of the ways Ferrari works. But by combining his different experience and approach, I think we can maximise our potential. The team has improved in all areas.
"The team is working more effectively and in a more efficient way the last couple months. Last year we had some problems with the wind tunnel, otherwise the car was very good. If we do a good job (with the car) we will be able to win races."
He added: "I don't know what it might feel like to win a title with Ferrari, but from what I can tell from just winning some races, I can be sure it would be something special."
And the 30-year-old still has plenty of time in which to achieve that goal having signed a long-term deal with Ferrari mid-way through the 2011 season.
"I have a lot of years of racing ahead of me and I am only thirty years old," he said.
"There are some 43 year olds still around and I think I still have room to improve. Maybe as you get older you lose some speed, but you gain experience so it compensates."
