Alonso Not Feeling Added Pressure

Fernando Alonso insists he is not affected by the high expectations placed on him since he claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory in Hungary last year.

Alonso has been tipped as a potential title challenger this season and has also been linked with a switch to Ferrari in the future after bursting onto the scene in 2003. The Spaniard has ruled out a shot at the title until 2005 and admits he is learning to cope with pressure that has been put on him since he won in Hungary.

"Any time you have a good result people expect a lot of you. But my expectations are the same. I approach this season like I approached last year," said Alonso at the launch of the R24.

"Formula One depends on the car as well. If the car is good and the car is competitive then you can fight for the podium. But the pressure does not affect me. If I can improve my results for last year that will make me very happy."

Alonso says his Renault team, who finished fourth in the Championship last year, can close the gap on the big-three - Ferrari, McLaren and Williams.

"We improved last year and we have to be optimistic," said Alonso, who will again be partnered by Jarno Trulli. "As drivers we must keep pushing and trying to improve. I am 22 and I must learn a lot each year. I feel better and that I am a better driver for 2004. I am sure that I will be a better driver than last year.

"After the victory the atmosphere in the team changed - a little bit more enthusiastic and confident. But I don't think we can beat Ferrari. This year will be very difficult for us. We will try to close the gap between the three top teams and Renault.

"To be in a position to fight for the Championship in the last three or four races...I am not sure we are quite there. We are working for 2005. The problem this year will be the engine because we start from nothing. We know Renault will have a very competitive car if it develops as we have now on paper. We must close the gap on the top three teams but not allow other teams to close on us."

The young Spaniard believes that Ferrari's six-time champion Schumacher will be the man to beat again in 2004 despite Williams' new radically-designed car setting a blistering pace in testing.

"At the moment, Michael will always be the name to put on top of the list," he said. "Apart from him I think the Michelin people are the top, the number one of Williams and the number one of McLaren can win this year."