Alonso concedes Ferrari a step ahead

"I think Ferrari is a little bit ahead of everybody - really quick and really consistent - and I think BMW, Renault, Williams, McLaren will be very close on timed laps," said Alonso after completing the final test of the pre-season in Bahrain, where the Ferrari team were the pace-setters most of the time.

"We cannot make any mistakes in Australia or else we are off the pace," Alonso added.

Brazilian Felipe Massa dominated the Sakhir test as Ferrari continued to impress with their pace and consistency. Teammate Kimi Raikkonen has also put on strong performances, but the Finn has not been as impressive as Massa.

Alonso believes Massa and Raikkonen, replacing Michael Schumacher at the Italian squad, have the same chances of winning this season, after the Brazilian showed he is very fast in the new F2007 car.

"I think they are 50/50," the Spaniard added. "Everybody thought that Kimi was coming to Ferrari and staying ahead and being number one and now everybody's realised that Felipe is very quick as well. So for me it's not a surprise - either of them can win."

Alonso admits McLaren are not yet sure what is the area where Ferrari are stronger than them, but the two-time champion is still confident the British squad can take a step forward before the season kicks off in Melbourne.

"Nobody knows at the moment - Ferrari is quick over a single lap and quick over the long runs. I think we need to keep improving the car - grip, power whatever it is," said Alonso.

"We keep learning about the tyres and improving the car around the tyres. And for sure, Ferrari have much more feeling about the Bridgestone. But it's the same for everybody.

"For sure, the team will try and improve the car before Melbourne - there is two weeks to work in the wind tunnel and that's an area where we can find something and put it on the car straight away. And I'm confident that we'll have something more in time for Melbourne."