Alonso Cautious for Bahrain
Renault's Fernando Alonso is cautious about his team's chances of continuing their amazing start to the season in the Bahrain Grand Prix - although he believes it is absolutely vital the outfit make the most of their current advantage over Ferrari
The Spaniard, who moved to the top of the World Championship standings with his dominant victory in Malaysia, is well aware that his French manufacturer outfit had a difficult time in Bahrain last year - with Jarno Trulli and himself finishing fourth and sixth respectively.
But with rivals Ferrari appearing to be on the back foot at the moment, and the general consensus being that the team will be much stronger when their F2005 finally hits the track, Alonso is keeping the lid on his expectations for the next race of the season.
"The car was not good there last year and our rivals will get closer for sure," he said. "Toyota, Williams and McLaren will make life hard for us, and Ferrari will be back when they have fixed their problems. Michael will be fighting up there, for sure.
"We need to make the most of their drop in speed to score as many points as possible, because I am sure we will have difficult races this year as well. We need to score as many points as possible while they are struggling."
Alonso has scored 16 points in the first two races of the season, to lead Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella by six points in the Drivers' Championship table. Of the Ferrari drivers, Rubens Barrichello is a further two points adrift with eight points, while Michael Schumacher has scored just two points so far.
Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense" in F1 Japanese GP
Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense" in F1 Japanese GP Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense" in F1 Japanese GP
Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do
Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP
Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP Alonso explains “throwing me to the lions” radio rant in F1 Japanese GP
The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri
The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri The Alonso/Schumacher F1 traits McLaren sees in Piastri
The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status
The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status The extreme dedication enabling F1’s elder statesmen to prolong elite status
BTCC Silverstone: Turkington wins as title fight goes down to Sutton and Ingram
BTCC Silverstone: Turkington wins as title fight goes down to Sutton and Ingram BTCC Silverstone: Turkington wins as title fight goes down to Sutton and Ingram
Video: Verstappen and Red Bull strike back at the F1 Japanese GP
Video: Verstappen and Red Bull strike back at the F1 Japanese GP Video: Verstappen and Red Bull strike back at the F1 Japanese GP
Autosport Podcast: F1 Japanese GP review
Autosport Podcast: F1 Japanese GP review Autosport Podcast: F1 Japanese GP review
Bagnaia 'cannot make mistakes' like India crash after MotoGP points lead slashed
Bagnaia 'cannot make mistakes' like India crash after MotoGP points lead slashed Bagnaia 'cannot make mistakes' like India crash after MotoGP points lead slashed
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.