Alonso Confident of Extending Lead

Renault's Championship leader Alonso was third, alongside Italian teammate Giancarlo Fisichella, while McLaren rival Kimi Raikkonen, second in the standings, starts seventh.

Raikkonen had the disadvantage of running earlier than the other frontrunners after crashing out of the last race at the Nurburgring on the final lap while leading.

The Finn can be expected to have a heavier fuel load on board and, after dominating the last three races, remains the man to watch in Montreal.

Alonso said he was not too worried however.

"It's hard to know the fuel loads of other people but we are quite happy with our strategy," he said. "We have one BAR and one Ferrari in front of us. That is maybe not disappointing but a surprise for sure.

"I think that in the race conditions they (McLaren) will be really, really strong. Obviously this is a track that has been historically good for our car and this year we were very close with them and we are still confident we can beat them tomorrow.

"To be in front at the start of the race would help."

Alonso leads the Championship by 32 points after having scored four race wins.