Alonso doesn’t really believe it … for the moment!

Renault driver Fernando Alonso believes it is unrealistic to think that the French team will be able to fight for a podium position in the upcoming season that starts next month.

« With the current car, we are still very far away, » declared the Iberian when the word podium was mentioned.

I think we find ourselves in the same situation as at the end of last year: two Ferraris, two McLarens, and two BMWs, and if everything goes well, we will be seventh.

« Thinking about a podium would be too optimistic for now. Then, with the series of races, you start to get used to the different parameters, your morale starts to be at its best, and that’s when we can think about a possible podium. »

According to Alonso, reaching a podium is therefore a dream!

« With our current form, it will be difficult to reach Q3 during the qualifiers, » added the Spaniard.

He returned to the French team after a season with McLaren. Renault, world champion in 2005 and 2006, struggled last year to find the pace. The results reflect this, as no race was won and no pole position was achieved.

Alonso believes that Ferrari is once again a serious contender for the Constructors’ Championship title. However, according to him, it is not as far behind its rivals as some suggest.

« The Scuderia Ferrari is favorite, of course, but it is not on another planet. I think the championship is not closed, » he said.

The double world champion also says he is surprised by BMW’s good form despite the reliability issues with its new car.

The F1.08 is very fast with a lot of fuel. Sometimes, when you look at the times, 25 or 30 laps completed with probably 60 or 70 kilos of fuel, you are somewhat surprised.