Fernando Alonso hopes for Spa win from ninth place

Spa Francorchamps (Belgium): Fernando Alonso remained defiant on Saturday after qualifying only ninth for Sunday`s Belgian Grand Prix for Ferrari.

The two-time world champion stressed that in the changeable conditions and with heavy rain forecast, he can still win the 44-lap race to rekindle his title bid. He is 39 points behind leader defending triple world champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull in the title race. "Winning the race? I think we can do it," he said. "Anything can happen here. Vettel started 11th last year and finished second. "Spa always offers you big possibilities for a comeback, especially in terms of weather unpredictability. "We have to think positively for the race because in wet or dry conditions the car seems to perform well." Alonso admitted that it will be difficult. "If we manage to pass the people in front, we have the pace. The only problem will be to pass them and we have to think how," he said. "I think it was the conditions that hurt us today. In Q1 in wet conditions we were first, in dry conditions in Q2 we were second, so I think the potential of the car was there. "In the extra lap that some cars did in Q3, they got a little bit lucky with it completely stopping raining, so I think that helped by three or four positions. "We were maybe not going to fight for pole, but I think we were in a condition for fourth, fifth or sixth." AFP