Fernando Alonso is not concerned by Ferrari's slow start to pre-season testing.

The team's decision to overhaul their design approach with their 2012 car has meant that data-gathering work and set-up comparisons have taken priority in sessions in Jerez and Barcelona.

However, Spanish driver Alonso is confident that Ferrari will be ready for the start of the season in Australia next month.

"We are continuing with development of the new car," Alonso told reporters. "Maybe we are only taking small steps forward, but they are coming constantly. "There is still a lot of work to do, but as of today, there is no reason why we should not be ready for the first race.

"It's true there are only four more days of testing and we will have to also make use of the first Friday at a race weekend to continue with development, but the car is reasonably complex and needs time, as was the case over the first eight days."

The 30-year-old won the world championship in 2005 and 2006.