Alonso Rules Out Italian GP Win

Kimi Raikkonen is heading into the Monza weekend as clear favourite for victory, thanks to the current dominance of the MP4-20, and Alonso acknowledges that his target is just to finish in the top three.

"Seriously, I don't think we'll be able to win on Sunday, but a podium would be ideal to break the ice and to maintain a good situation in the championship," Alonso told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Despite McLaren's pace, however, Alonso believes Monza will provide him with one of the best chances of being able to put Raikkonen under pressure.

"There's no hiding: the McLaren is stronger on all the circuits we still have to face. On some tracks, like Monza, where braking and traction are important, we'll reduce the gap and I'm not ruling out we might be closer.

"I'm confident for Brazil too: it's the ideal track to bring out the best from my Renault. But the truth doesn't change: at the beginning of the season I was driving the best car, while nowadays it isn't so anymore and I don't think things will go back to what they were in Spring."

But it is the fact that Renault do not have the strongest car at the moment that is providing added motivation to Alonso in the closing stages of the Championship battle.

When asked whether he had any worries about losing the title fight at the final hurdle, Alonso said: "No fears. If I were to win, then it would be a nice achievement, because I'd win with a car that isn't the strongest one.

"And let's not forget that 24 points in five races are a nice amount to manage, and next to me I have a fast and especially honest teammate, who's ready to put his ambitions on a side for the good of Renault.

"If instead Kimi should win then he would only be doing what's required, with a car like that."