Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso said he is happy with his first season at Ferrari despite being pipped to the title in the final Grand Prix by Sebastian Vettel, and believes 2011 will be even better.

Last season “was nice and special, but not because it was the first year (with Ferrari), but because of the way in which it happened, because we were far behind with seven or eight races to go and the comeback was spectacular,” the Spaniard told Spain’s sports daily Marca yesterday.

“All that was lacking was the cherry on the cake, but hey, we knew that could happen.

“Sport is like that, sometimes things go well and sometimes badly. But after the initial sadness of not winning the title, I think it was good overall for the team and for me, to regain feelings I have not had for the past three years...

“To return to winning and have the opportunity to fight for the championship has been the best news.”

The 29-year-old won two world titles with Renault, in 2005 and 2006, before spending a turbulent season at McLaren and then returning to Renault. For 2010, he joined Ferrari, where he has recovered his sparkling form.

He went into the final Grand Prix of the season, in Abu Dhabi, as the series leader and needed only to finish fourth to score the points to take the title. But he could not fight back from his mid-field position to score enough points to make an impact as Red Bull’s German driver Vettel, won a thrilling race to seize the title – Alonso has not proved to be a gracious loser as he is yet to congratulate the young German.

But Alonso said it was far from being his worst moment in Formula One. “I think it was not even in the Top 50. I had much worse moments, in 2008, 2009 and in 2007, and in 2010.”

He said he had “no doubt that 2011 will be a good year and we will have a competitive car, but we are also very respectful of our rivals”.