Alonso vows to make his mark
Fernando Alonso is determined not to play second fiddle to team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella when Renault aim to stretch their world championship lead in this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
Fisichella drove to victory in Australia two weeks ago as Renault colleague Alonso battled from 13th on the grid to third at the chequered flag.
But the Spaniard insists “Australia doesn’t count” after seeing Fisichella take the early lead in the world championship, helped by rain in first qualifying.
Alonso set the fastest lap of the race in arguably the performance of the day to fight his way on to the podium.
Now the former Minardi driver is looking to give his championship challenge a lift at Sepang this weekend.
He said: “Australia doesn’t count because it was not a normal race. I expected to finish fifth or sixth and after the second pit stop I was third. I was very surprised.
“I hope to finish at least on the podium here. We have a strong package and we should be competitive. The circuit here should suit us more than in Australia.
“I feel we are in good shape I think for the championship.
“It is a very long season. We have to be consistent, not lose any points. Finishing the race is the top priority. We have to be a bit more conservative with the car.
“With 19 races you can score a lot of points but if you don’t finish three or four maybe you are not in the fight for the championship. In the first three or four races we have to finish because we have a strong car.”
Alonso believes Renault have finally given him a car capable of fighting for the title – and he will not be restrained by team orders.
He added: “We have more confidence – you can really drive the car. Last year sometimes the car was driving you. We can push even more this year compared to last and find the limit.
“We are allowed to race. Probably if we qualify in the front positions, [team boss] Flavio Briatore will tell us not to crash into each other but apart from that we can race.”
Fisichella is well aware of the threat posed by Alonso and predicted a close fight over the remaining 18 races.
Along with McLaren’s pairing of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya, the Renault duo are the closest matched team-mates on the grid and little separated the two over the course of the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
Such sporting rivalries can upset relationships off the track but Fisichella is expecting a clean fight.
The Italian said: “It’s going to be tough. He’s a very nice guy and there is a very good friendship between me and him. We work together which is very important for the team.
“I think he is one of the best drivers in Formula One, quick and consistent in the race.
“It is going to be interesting to see how it is at the end of the season between me and him.”
Fisichella also has his eyes on a maiden world championship but has not let his second grand prix win go to his head.
He said: “I think we are in good shape. We won the race because we are quick. We want to be competitive and we are optimistic for the weekend. I won the race, I’m confident and happy.
“We are just at the start of the season. Yes I won the first race but there are still 18 races to go.
“I feel confident I can be quick and fight for the podium, to fight to win a race sometimes because I have a great car and a great team.
“If we continue to be competitive we can try to win the championship – why not?”
