( CNN ) -- It 's been another difficult start to the season for Ferrari , but Formula One 's most successful team is showing signs that it may yet be competitive this year . While Lewis Hamilton continued Mercedes ' dominant form by topping the second practice session in Shanghai on Friday , Fernando Alonso followed up his leading time from the morning run by being second fastest in the afternoon . Watching was Ferrari 's new team principal Marco Mattiacci , who has been tasked with restoring the `` Prancing Horse '' to winning ways . On his first visit to the F1 paddock ahead of Sunday 's Chinese Grand Prix , the Italian emphasized his `` humility '' and the steady progress he hopes to make . `` I first need to prove I am at the level of Ferrari , and of Formula One , so you have in front of you an extremely motivated person , '' the 43-year-old told reporters . Alonso 's teammate Kimi Raikkonen finished the practice sessions with the seventh fastest lap . He had completed only one lap in the day 's first practice before spending the rest of the 90 minutes in the pits with a mechanical problem , but emerged to complete 25 laps in the later session . Hamilton , who has won the last two races in Malaysia and Bahrain , was just 0.014 seconds quicker than Alonso -- though the Englishman had problems with his car in the earlier session . His teammate Nico Rosberg , who won the season-opener in Australia when Hamilton failed to finish , was 0.411 seconds off the leading pace . Alonso , who is fourth in the overall standings despite no podium placings in three outings , said he was `` happy '' with the team 's improved performance . `` At every race , all the teams bring something new and we must try and make an additional step forward if we want to be competitive , '' said the Spanish driver , who won last year 's race in Shanghai . There were also encouraging signs today for last year 's constructors ' champions Red Bull . Their two drivers took fourth and fifth fastest laps with Daniel Ricciardo narrowly beating out four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel with a time of one minute and 38.811 seconds . Red revolution ? Ferrari bosses have pinned their hopes on Mattiacci to rescue a season where the team 's two star drivers have failed to reach the podium in the opening three races . He confirmed he was flown to Italy last Friday by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo to discuss the position , and was hidden behind dark sunglasses despite overcast conditions in Shanghai to hide his weariness after a long week of traveling . Mattiacci has no previous experience in F1 , and comes to the Scuderia from a previous position as president and CEO of Ferrari North America . He claimed that doubts about his pedigree are `` very motivating . '' `` I am an extremely humble person who will listen , and will fight 150 % to be a facilitator , to utilize the best talent in Ferrari , '' Mattiaci said . `` We have a history , a pedigree , that is unique , and a pride that is impressive , and we will react , but to talk about restructuring is too early . '' All hands on deck . Di Montezemolo has said will be taking a more hands-on role while Mattiacci becomes accustomed to his new position . Former team principal Stefano Domenicali resigned on Monday , saying he took responsibility for the team 's poor start to the season . With two-time world champion Alonso and 2007 titleholder Raikkonen in the stable , Ferrari had high hopes of breaking Red Bull 's four-year dominance of the sport . But the team parted with Domenicali after the drivers finished the Bahrain Grand Prix in ninth and 10th positions . While the practice results offer hope that a change in fortunes could be close , Ferrari 's engineering director Pat Fry urged caution . `` Even if we are making progress on all fronts , we are well aware that it 's always hard to know where you stand on a Friday , '' he told reporters . `` Today 's low temperatures affected tire performance and even if we can expect the track surface to be in better condition tomorrow , the rain expected for qualifying could turn the session into a real lottery . '' Follow the latest action with CNN 's essential F1 guide .
Fernando Alonso posts second fastest time in Shanghai practice . New Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci wants to make the most of team 's `` talents '' Leading team Mercedes first and third fastest in another strong session . TL;DR