Alonso Wants to Stay at Renault

Fernando Alonso has refused to rule out a possible move to one of Formula One's big three teams Ferrari, McLaren or Williams if one of them swoops for him - despite team boss Flavio Briatore insisting the Spaniard will never be allowed to leave.

Alonso, who has finished in the points in all five races so far this season, said he believes his future lies with Renault for the next few years at least, but added that driving for a race-winning team was his long-term goal.

"I prefer to stay at Renault, they gave me the opportunity to race in a big team, a competitive team, and from my side there's no pressure to leave," Alonso said. "But in Formula One you never know what might happen.

"I never dreamt of driving for any team in particular, but you always would prefer to drive for a team that is winning, whether it was McLaren or then Williams in the 90s or then back to McLaren and then, in the last few years, Ferrari.

"When I signed for Renault it was a very good programme that we had. Our results are coming. We've had podiums and we have the potential to win, both technically and on the personnel side. I feel very confident here for the future."

Alonso, however, disagreed with comments made by Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne who said he believes the French marque can fight for this year's Formula One title.

"It doesn't matter what the others say," said Alonso. "Clearly Mike is very optimistic! Okay, we got a second in Spain, but it was a big surprise to me to be fighting a Ferrari for the win. I don't think it is normal for us to be fighting with Ferrari, McLaren or Williams and I don't think we will have the opportunity to win races again this year. Our target is to keep finishing races, scoring points and get the fourth place in the Constructors' Championship."

Renault have brought a new specification engine to Austria for this weekend's Grand Prix around the A1-Ring - a circuit known to favour more powerful cars because of its series of straights.

Renault have just lost their engine guru Jean-Jacques His and Alonso said he did not expect the improvements to be enough to take on the might of Ferrari's engine or the Mercedes and BMW in the back of the McLaren and Williams.

"No way, but I think Monte Carlo maybe can be a very a good race for us," said Alonso.