Alonso hopeful of smaller gap in Canada

The nature of the Gilles Villeneuve circuit means there is a smaller dependency on aerodynamics, which is why Alonso is expecting the gap to Red Bull and McLaren to be reduced this weekend.

But the Spaniard reckons Ferrari's current form means fighting for a place on the podium will still be very hard.

"We perform a little bit better with this type of tyre, and aerodynamics are less important here because there are less high-speed corners," Alonso told reporters on Thursday.

"We know from an aero point of view we are a little bit behind our main opponents and maybe here we will be a little bit closer. But cannot forget that Red Bull has been very quick in all types of circuits and McLaren has also been very quick on tracks like Monaco or Barcelona.

"I think we can be closer to them and have a chance to be on the podium or to fight, but it will be extremely difficult, as it has been in all of 2011."

The Ferrari driver said also that he is open about the weather for Sunday, with rain expected to hit the track.

"I don't have a preference for the weather. It's true that with our position now in terms of championship points we are quite far behind the leaders, and in terms of performance we are not as quick as our opponents.

"If it's wet, for us it's not a big problem because it's not like in a normal, perfect race we will win it. That's not possible at the moment for us.

"So any strange factor it can help us, but we know how wet races are. It's a bit of a lottery so you need to gamble to win. If it rains we'll see if we make the right calls."