Q & A with Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso: I am always ready to win! It will be a little bit more difficult than Singapore because there we were extremely lucky with the safety cars and the tyre decisions. Everything was perfect for us and we had the victory. In a normal race, Ferrari and McLaren are unbeatable, they will be very strong again here.

Q. Were you surprised that your race pace was the same as Ferrari in Singapore?

FA: All weekend we were very quick in Singapore. My fastest laps in the race was third overall, close to Ferrari and two or three tenths quicker than Hamilton, which was a surprise. But I think it's related to the track and the setup. Straight away from Friday the car was very good. So I think team did a very good job to give me a car that was very quick around Singapore but we believe in the normal circuit like Fuji maybe we will have some problems. Maybe our competitiveness will be a little bit down.

Q. Has the result in Singapore changed in any way your thoughts on where you drive next year?

FA: No. Nothing has changed. It's the same question as always for next year! On Saturday we had the fuel pump problem and I was out in Q2 and the question was will this change your decision for next year! Then the day after I won, does this change my decision! Nothing changes my decision - it will be more important than one particular result. It's all about understanding next year's regulations, what will be the key points of next year in the car, the KERS, the slicks, the aerodynamics, whatever. You need to pay attention to all these thing.

Q. BMW has announced its drivers - was it never an option for you? Could you not come to an agreement? Or didn't you believe in what BMW is planning for next year?

FA: It was never a possibility for me or for them. They were happy with their drivers.

Q. What are your chances of getting a winning car for next year?

FA: Same as always. Next year anything can happen. As I said, the change of regulations will mix the performance of all the cars and the teams that get used to the new regulations quicker than the others will have more advantage, especially in the first couple of races. It's all about that. It's not anything more. The clever team in the winter testing will be the favourite to win.

Q. Going back to BMW, it sounds like you weren't convinced they were really interested? Was that the impression you got?

FA: No. It was never a serious approach for them because they were quite happy with their drivers and they didn't want to change. For me, it was not time to talk because I preferred to wait until the end of the season and concentrate on driving for Renault, which is my job this year. It was not time to make decision. Next year we see.

Q. But now there are only two other teams - Honda and Toro Rosso - why are you waiting so long. One of those could be an alternative?

FA: Maybe, maybe not. I don't know because I am racing with Renault, we are still in 2008. I have a contract with Renault for next year, it's just whether to take that extension or not. I want to concentrate on driving. It's not that I'm waiting to make it impossible for you to write things!

I'm waiting because I still have three races to go and I want to do the best job possible and decide whether to stay here or whatever. Next year, I will have a competitive car anyway, because I need to work better than ever in the winter and that is more important than any team choice.

Q. But it's a problem that you don't have a winning car. You are a double world champion, you know what that means on the driver market?

FA: Yes, but at the end of the year when I finish Brazil I will take the decision. I cannot tell you before that. If it's a problem it's for me as well, but I don't believe it's a problem.

Q. Would you say you have learned more this year than in the two years you won the championship?

FA: No. Every year you learn different things. When I won the championships they were different. It was the first time I was able to win race - in 2005 I was racing in defensive mode but Kimi was far behind and I just needed to finish races and score points.

Then 2006 with Michael was full attack at the end of the season, fighting wheel to wheel to win the championship Then in 2007 I learned many things and this year as well. I learned to do every lap on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as qualifying laps and to be very precise with the setup to make the most of the car. Every year you are a better and better driver.

Q. What more can you learn in the next three races that is going to influence the decision on where you are next year?

FA: Nothing. But because I decide to wait for the end of the season, now I wait for he end of the season. It will not change too much. What I am thinking now I will think at the end of the season.