Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has responded sarcastically to the qualifying edge currently enjoyed by his Formula One teammate Felipe Massa, saying he can’t sleep and is losing his hair.

Massa has qualified ahead of Alonso in the past four races – the first two this season and the last two of 2012.

If he does it again at this weekend’s F1 Chinese Grand Prix it will represent the first time in Alonso’s career that he has been out-qualified by a teammate five straight times.

Asked about the statistic, Alonso quipped: “I haven’t slept since Australia. I’m only eating white rice. I’m losing my hair. A huge drama.”

Alonso said qualifying in F1 is less important than ever in the Pirelli era, with tYre management now the key to winning.