Alonso sets sights on 2009 title

The Spanish driver finished in fifth place in the 2008 season after a very strong end to the campaign, which saw Renault recover from a poor start to the year.

Alonso, winner of two races in 2008, waited until after the season was over to confirm he would stay at the French squad, as he evaluated his options to have the best possible car in 2009.

The two-time champion says his goal for the upcoming year is very clear at the moment.

"The target for next year is to improve," Alonso told reporters during a UNICEF charity event sponsored by ING Direct. "The first part of last season was average. I can't afford to start the championship thinking that I'm not going to win.

"My target and the team's is the title. It's a very clear goal, although it may have to be altered as the year goes on. But here, today, in December, the goal is very clear.

"Next year I'm going to try to be champion. At the end of last season we recovered ground and I haven't left Renault. When things are done right, you feel at home. And Renault is a serious team when I feel comfortable."

The Spaniard reckons next season, when radical new rules will come into play, is likely to bring a few surprises, although he is expecting Ferrari and McLaren to stay on top.

"There will be a few surprises. Last season the surprise was BMW and Renault in some occasions. Next year there will a few surprises and I hope Renault is one of them," he added.

Alonso also confessed he would see no problems with having his car ready as late as possible if it helps him beat his rivals.

"This time the championship starts later than ever and the later you get the car ready the better. There will be cars that will be good in February, and by April everyone else will have copied them. So the later the car arrives, the better.

"In fact, the car we will unveil on January 20 will have nothing to do with the car that arrives in the first race."