Alonso: don't discount Ferrari

Michael Schumacher's best time in the two sessions was only good enough for tenth fastest for the day, as the Michelin-shod teams dominated.

But Alonso reckons that Alex Wurz's performance in the Williams is a key indicator of what to expect tomorrow. Third driver Wurz was the only Bridgestone runner to shine, setting the best time of the day.

"Thursday was a difficult day for everybody," said Alonso. "It was difficult to know whether the tyres worked in the first lap or not because we stuck with the same set all day.

"Nobody knows how the Bridgestones or Michelins will be in the first timed lap. Wurz in the Williams was P1, so Bridgestone looks like it will be good, so we expect Ferrari to be quick too.

"So I think Ferrari will be fighting for the pole, even if they were not in the top three or four in practice."

Alonso also reckons McLaren should be a contender this weekend. Juan Pablo Montoya was second fastest, and the quickest race driver, on Thursday.

"McLaren are strong this weekend. We will have to wait and see what happens in qualifying, but Ferrari and McLaren are both in good shape here, and our main competitors will probably be them."

Monaco is the most prestigious Grand Prix of the year, but Alonso made it clear that his priority is the world championship over individual wins.

And he added that even though Monaco is a challenge for drivers, the best man does not always win.

"The first aim is to win the championship," said the Spaniard. "This race, it doesn't matter who wins.

"Monaco is a driver's circuit for sure, but it is also a car circuit. We've seen Michael in the last four or five years hasn't won here because he hasn't had the right car to win. No one could think Michael couldn't win because of his driving style!"