Alonso 'very impressed' by McLaren

The Spanish driver has moved to McLaren after winning two titles with the Renault team in 2005 and 2006, and he has already been working with his new team since last year, when he got the opportunity to test their car for one day.

"This year I've been working ten days in a row at McLaren, and the atmosphere has really impressed me," Alonso told reporters in Valencia, ahead of the launch of the new MP4-22 car.

"For sure I need to adapt a little bit, but it would have been the same at Renault, with the new car and new tyres, so that's not a surprise.

"I feel comfortable with everything at McLaren. On the December test: I ran Pedro (de la Rosa)'s set-up from the day before, and I had no difficulties, I didn't change too many things.

"I feel really optimistic. this is the year for McLaren to come back. I'm actually calling it new McLaren - it feels like a whole new team. I'm more confident now than I was at the start of 2006, when we changed from V10 to V8."

Alonso will be partnered by Briton Lewis Hamilton, and although the GP2 champion will be making his Grand Prix debut this season, the two-time world champion reckons he will be a great asset.

"Lewis will be a big help," the Spaniard added. "Some people say that without any experience he will not help the team at the start of the year,  but I think the opposite - he is young and quick and can give us fresh ideas. I will learn things from him."