Alonso predicts strong weekend for Renault

World champion Alonso, winner at Imola last year, lapped in 1:25.043 in the day's hour-long afternoon session after Ferrari's Schumacher had set the pace in the morning.

The 24-year-old Spaniard will be chasing his third win in four races on Sunday and Renault's fifth in a row. The French manufacturer has been unbeaten since Alonso won the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix season-ender.

Championship leader Alonso, who has to use the same engine that took him to victory in the last race in Australia this month, did not complete a timed lap in the opening hour.

"As usual on the Friday, the grip levels were quite bad," said Alonso. "That makes the car inconsistent to drive, and we began working on the set-up to try and improve things. We are not there yet, and we are suffering from too much understeer at the moment.

"I think we are quick as well but as always, the times on Friday don't mean too much. If we can make some good changes tonight, though, I think we will be a in a strong situation for the race."

Alonso's teammate Giancarlo Fisichella did not enjoy such a good day, the Italian finishing in sixth place.

"I had a difficult day to be honest," admitted Fisichella. "The balance of the car is not good and the grip is very low on the track. The main problem is in the chicanes where the handling is inconsistent, which means you cannot attack them with any confidence.

"We have a lot of work to do tonight, to reach our normal level of performance."