Alonso: races are more challenging now

The Spaniard has taken a fourth and an eighth place in the first two races of the year, but has not yet shown the kind of form that allowed him to win back-to-back world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006.

And although the results are not what Alonso has been used to over recent seasons, he actually thinks he has to drive harder now.

"It is more challenging now for me, a new challenge at least," said Alonso. "I am always in a group, I cannot relax at all through the race.

"Sometimes last year you would do 20 laps quickly and then you dropped the revs, and were conservative to finish the race because you were leading by a big amount.

"This year, it is totally different. You have to push even on the last lap because something may happen and you could take an extra point. So, it is a new challenge and you enjoy probably more like this."

When asked whether or not it was painful for him not to be a part of the fight for wins, Alonso said: "No, not really. I have been very lucky with the teams in the past to be competitive.

"Now, this year I have to be a little bit in the back. But between the possibilities that I had, I knew more or less that this was the thing."