Alonso Feels Ready to Get Back to Racing

Renault new-boy Spaniard Fernando Alonso said today that he expects to enjoy a fruitful season after stepping up to the race team.

Speaking at the launch of the team's R23 car in Lucerne, Switzerland, 21-year old Alonso claimed that his year on the sidelines as Renault's test driver have prepared him perfectly for the 2003 season.

"There is an advantage knowing the team," said Alonso, who spent a season with minnows Minardi in 2001 before joining the Renault squad. "It is a big team and you need to be used to them and the way they work.

"I arrive properly in 2003 and I now feel I'm at 100 percent because one year racing with Minardi and one year of testing has prepared me and now I'm ready to come back."

Alonso backed Renault's decision to opt for the Friday testing option at Grands Prix and the young Spaniard admitted the choice will help him when he does return to the grid in Australia in March.

"To have Friday testing will be good in some races," Alonso claimed, "especially in the first races of the season because I will need to get to know the tracks. It will make Formula One more interesting again."

Alonso will get his first experience on the new car at Paul Ricard on Thursday when it makes its on track debut, albeit without tobacco branding. The Spaniard is confident the new machine will be a marked improvement over last year's machine.

"The team has been pushing hard," said Alonso, who has spent time training in Kenya. "Last year we had a reasonable car but this year it will be better. I haven't tried it yet, but I can't wait."