Alonso Expects Renault to be Stronger in 2005

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso says he is excited about next year's Renault and he believes the French squad will have a stronger 2005 season.

"I am excited about the car having seen it in the wind-tunnel," Alonso, who visited his team's factory this week, said on the Renault website. "I am confident it will be another competitive car, and the team is working hard to reduce the effects of the regulation changes."

Alonso finished in fourth place in the Drivers' Championship last season, having scored four podiums and 59 points. However, the young Spaniard was unable to win any races following his maiden victory in Formula One at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2003.

Despite that, though, Alonso believes 2004 was a stronger season.

"We scored more points, finished higher in the Championship and I had the feeling I had put in a more complete season," he added. "The last few races were difficult, because our competitors seemed to pick up speed and we didn't, but the car was still good enough to fight near the podium.

"The team started working for 2005 very early, and even if we lost some speed at the end of the year, we expect the choices to pay off next season."

The Renault driver, who will not get back behind the wheel until the start of next year, refused to rate his chances for the 2005 season but made clear his main goal will be to improve on 2004.

"It is too early to talk about specific targets â€" we need to wait for the car to run, then we will have a better idea," Alonso added. "However, the team has high expectations and personally, I have just one aim: to improve on 2004.

"Renault have given me the chance to perform at the highest level in Formula One, and that is exactly what I intend to do."

The French squad expect to start running their new car, the R25, in late January.