Alonso says title charge begins now

Alonso suggested that he was unhappy with some aspects of the way McLaren were run prior to Indianapolis, but has said that things are now much better after another one-two for the team in the United States Grand Prix.

And with McLaren currently enjoying an advantage over Ferrari, Alonso is bullish about his prospects despite teammate Lewis Hamilton being 10 points clear in the standings.

"I think I'm going to benefit from coming back to Europe," said the world champion in a radio interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser on Tuesday. "I think the championship starts now.

"We have done just seven races, not even half the championship. And now I'm more comfortable than before and full of confidence that everything will go well from now on."

Alonso said he had noticed a change in the way McLaren dealt with Hamilton's success in Indy, and that he felt much happier with their approach.

"I think we are better than a week or two ago. They know we have a very good car, that everything is going well, that reliability is working, the car is very fast, and that both drivers are capable of winning races and finishing on the podium.

"After last week, when I said that they were happier when Hamilton won, something that everybody noticed too, I think they are now being more careful with their manners. And (at Indy) we saw a more general joy."

And Alonso has rubbished suggestions that he is unhappy the team allow both drivers full access to each other's data.

It was Alonso's information from Friday practice at Indianapolis that helped Hamilton make a step forward in his pace, especially in the track's middle sector, from Saturday.

"The team does a good job in that aspect," said Alonso.

"Since he is new in the category and he doesn't know the tracks, on Fridays he gets all the data from my car and my laps so he knows the circuit better and knows where the time is found."