Alonso Delighted with Second Row Slot

Spaniard Fernando Alonso secured a strong qualifying position to try to defend his third place in the standings in tomorrow's Canadian Grand Prix.

"I am very happy, not just with qualifying but with our work throughout the day," said the Renault driver, who posted the fourth fastest time of the session ahead of Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello.

"We had a good morning, trying lots of different set-ups, and we were always competitive in the wet. In qualifying, it was definitely a small advantage to be running towards the end of the session.

"The car was good and I didn't make any mistakes: to be fourth on the grid is a good starting point for tomorrow."

Alonso, currently two points ahead of Barrichello in the standings, outqualified his Italian teammate Jarno Trulli, who was forced to use the spare car for qualifying following a problem with his racing machine.

Trulli finished in eighth place.

"First of all, I need to say a big thank you to my mechanics, who did a brilliant job today," said the Italian. "I had to use the spare car, which was originally set up for Fernando, and the timed lap was my first in that car this weekend.

"Taking that into account, I think I can be pleased to be starting eighth tomorrow."