Alonso tips Raikkonen for the title

With Alonso's Renault team not appearing to have the pace to fight at the front just yet, Alonso says that the form of rivals Ferrari, allied to Raikkonen's experience last season, make the Finn his choice for the crown.

"It is difficult to know from testing, but we have to see Ferrari (are) one of the favourites and, being last year's world champion, Kimi is the driver to beat this year," said Alonso in an interview with the BBC.

"Lewis (Hamilton), (Heikki) Kovalainen, (Felipe) Massa, the two Ferraris and two McLarens, all of them are capable of winning the championship, but if I have to say one name then (it is) Kimi."

Alonso, who won his titles back-to-back in 2005 and 2006, thinks that Raikkonen's confidence will have been boosted by his success last year - and especially the manner of his late-season fightback.

"I think Kimi at the end of last year did very good final races and he was also lucky to be world champion being so far behind at the end. He (has) put himself now in a very strong position.

"Now he will have the self confidence, (he is) very quick, nothing new, and it will be interesting how he drives this year after winning the world championship."

Alonso added that he expects former teammate Hamilton to be an improved driver this year, having shown so well in his rookie campaign.

"I wish him good luck for the championship," said Alonso about Hamilton. "After one year (of) experience, things become maybe easier in a way. You know the circuits, how the races go, (and) you understand the pressure. So there are many things that will be an advantage for him compared to last year."