An improbable podium for Alonso in Melbourne

Fernando Alonso wanted to respond to the rumors about the form of his team, the French manufacturer Renault, at the start of the 2009 season.

After a fairly modest start to the year in Portugal in terms of performance and a rebound in energy last week in Jerez, the 2005 and 2006 world champion wanted to clarify the situation regarding the R29 race car before speculation went too far.

« First, we were very bad at Portimao in Portugal and then we were the best at Jerez, but our current situation in Barcelona doesn’t relate to either of these two situations, » said the Spaniard during the Barcelona tests.

However, he is much happier today with Renault than he was a year ago. The start of the 2008 season had been catastrophic for Renault. Today, the team is not in that situation even though the R29 is not quite living up to expectations two weeks before the Australian Grand Prix.

« To be in the top six in Australia is almost mission impossible, » explained Alonso, who was beaten yesterday during the 3rd day of testing in Barcelona by Brawn GP, Ferrari, BMW, and Toyota.

« Some teams are currently out of our reach, with or without fuel. They have a head start on us. »

« But we are not that far, just a few tenths, and if our capacity to evolve is as good as last year, we can have good hopes. »

Specifically, Alonso admitted that a victory at Albert Park is unlikely.

« Even though we have prepared well, I expect other teams to be better, for example BMW, which is about two and a half months ahead of us. »

« Other teams show incredible speed like Toyota or Brawn GP. »

« We are doing well. Last year, I thought I was only going to be an extra but today I am more than optimistic, » added Alonso.