Canadian GP is Ferrari's Race, Says Alonso

Fernando Alonso said he was amazed by the performance of Ferrari duo Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher in first qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday and said his Renault team are not expecting to challenge them for victory.

Spaniard Alonso ended the qualifying session fifth but was more than four seconds down on Brazilian Barrichello, who mastered the wet conditions to set the pace in the rain-hit session.

Alonso said Renault are not expecting to take the fight to the World Champions at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve but did admit being surprised by the "amazing" performance of Ferrari in the conditions.

"The time of both Ferraris I think is amazing and very quick," said Alonso, who fought with Schumacher for victory in his home Spanish Grand Prix. "But, you know, maybe this is not our race this weekend - it's Ferrari's race.

"(Maybe) we have to look after our competitors, because our target for this weekend is to take points, not to win a race. So as far as we are in the top eight, we are happy."

Alonso was the quickest of the Michelin runners as rivals Bridgestone helped Sauber's Nick Heidfeld to qualify third and Jordan's rookie Ralph Firman fourth.

Despite the French tyre manufacturer being outperformed in the wet, Alonso remains upbeat about his prospects in Saturday's grid-deciding qualifying hour.

"The Bridgestone's are working very well and they are in front, but it's normal," Alonso said. "It's not a disappointing qualifying for us. I think we have to be very satisfied because I am the first Michelin in the track, so I think the team did a good job all day.

"The qualifying was obviously very difficult for everybody because of the weather conditions, but at the end I think to be fifth it's a good place for tomorrow, and we'll see how the weather is tomorrow."