Alonso Not Taking WC Title for Granted

Alonso is starting the second half of the 2005 season with a comfortable lead ahead of main title rival, McLaren Kimi Raikkonen. The Spaniard has 59 points to the Finn's 37, with Ferrari's Michael Schumacher a close third, with 34 points.

But Alonso believes McLaren are the quicker car and has called his Renault team to continue developing his car.

"Only half the season has gone and this next bit is very important," Alonso, who was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Sunday, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We are in good shape, we have a chance, but McLaren are quicker than us and we have to continue developing the car and win more races if we want to win the Championship."

Alonso said he is not discounting Schumacher as a title contender but said the German was boosted to third place because of the failing of Renault in Canada, and the US Grand Prix debacle, which saw only the six Bridgestone cars take part in the race.

"He is back [in contention] because he got 18 points in North America," Alonso said. "But we know we were more competitive than him in Indianapolis and we gave a big help to the others by not finishing in Canada."

The Spaniard said, however, that he expects the Michelin runners to resume their domination in France next weekend, after intensive tests at Jerez last week.

He also ruled out the possibility that future races may be jeopardised by politics and threats of boycott, following an FIA World Motor Sport Council hearing on this coming Wednesday. Renault are one of seven teams summoned to appear in front of the Council.

"I hope the [WMSC] meeting will go well for all the teams, and I have no doubt there will be a race," Alonso said. "The tyres work okay, we tested them in Jerez with no problems, and I think we will be competitive, and back on show."